The story of the former controversial NBA star formerly known as Ron Artest is heading to Showtime, set to be released in May to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month. According to Deadline, the network has acquired the rights to the Johnny Sweet documentary on the baller-turned-mental health advocate known today as Metta World Peace.
“Whether you know him as Ron Artest or Metta World Peace, he is one of the most intriguing personalities in sports,” Stephen Espinoza, President of Sports & Event Programming for Showtime, said in a statement to Deadline. “From Ron’s challenging upbringing in Queensbridge among some of the biggest burgeoning names in hip-hop through his transformation to Metta World Peace, Metta has been best known for his fierce competitiveness and unwavering loyalty.”
Written by Tom Friend, the documentary follows the life of the former baller, featuring interviews with Artest, himself, his former teammates, rivals, family and friends. According to Deadline, the film will chronicle the former baller from a “childhood marked by violence and drugs in the notorious Queensbridge projects in New York City during the crack wars of the 1980s, through a contentious stint at St. John’s University and, finally, to a dramatic and remarkable career in the NBA.”
The film will premiere on May 31st, on the heels of the 2019 Santa Barbara Film Festival, in which the Bleacher Report-produced film won the award for Best Documentary.
