Well, Harry here... Having Uncapie, a trusted longtime AICN spy, say that Will Smith's arms "are as big as one's thighs," is a great relief... Has Michael Mann, a personal trainer and Will Smith's dogged determination undergone the training and come close to capturing a physical presence that at the very least can recall the glory of Muhammad Ali? If Will Smith nails this character completely... the physicality, the voice and the emotional punch of Ali... Then I'll be happy as can be. I am a huge skeptic of this project, the timing of it all... Will Smith, but at the same time that I don't believe in it, I want it to work. Michael Mann is a great filmmaker and not known for making slouching film... Will Smith can be more than what he has been in film.... we see hints of it in him from time to time... and if he has physically transformed himself, then that shows the level of dedication and belief he has to make this work for him... How much weight has he gained... where did it go... what does he look like now? AND Mario Van Peebles as MALCOLM X and Jon Voight as Cosell! AMEN! Voight is going to be a fierce competitor next year in the supporting character work... His FDR in PEARL HARBOR is supposed to be quite something, and if he nails Cosell as well.... and then he plays half of the genetic code that creates the super-being Lara Croft as well! That's a powerful year! hehehe... Here's Uncapie with his spy report!
Harry,
I was down on the set for Michael Mann's "Muhammad Ali" story where they were doing some test shots and I have to say, I was really impressed with Will Smith. He's got Ali down. Smith had been working out with a private trainer for five months for the role and his arms are as big as one's thighs! They put Smith in the ring and he has Ali's moves and speed down. Smith did his homework for this one. He looked good on the video playback. The guy they got to play Sonny Liston(Forgot his name. Real nice guy though.) looks mean! Great for the part! Ron Silver portrays Ali's trainer. Mario Van Peebles is going to play "Malcolm X." But, you'll never believe who is playing Howard Cosell! I didn't even know who it was after I started talking with him he had Cosell down so good! JON VOIGHT! He's fantastic! You cannot recognize him!
Come next year, I predict, an Academy Award nomination for him! He's that impressive! Looks like a winner for Michael Mann.
Uncapie
