Jamie Foxx's Mike Tyson impersonation has been laid out by the A-list actor years back and he has once again opened up about his desire of playing the legendary boxer. The "Ray" star has in fact added that he plans to take the athlete's new biopic to another level.
The Academy-Award winning actor known for his portrayal of late jazz musician Ray Charles in the film "Ray," expressed his plans to star in a Mike Tyson biopic in 2009. He also plans to have director Taylor Hackford whom he worked with in "Ray" to take the helm, stating that they have "a certain kinship."
"I think that, of all the biopics that are out there, he has the most interesting story that no one has ever heard," Foxx told MTV News in a 2009 interview.
And although he already appeared in another boxing biopic alongside Will Smith for 'Ali' in 2001, he believes that he has a lot more to explore in playing a character like Mike Tyson.
Five years later, Jamie Foxx's Mike Tyson portrayal in a biopic remains a steadfast plan. In his most recent appearance in Live With Kelly and Michael, Foxx recounted his conversations with Tyson, and how he has gotten to know the former heavyweight champion over the years.
"See, I got a chance to hang out with Mike when Mike was at his height, and I watched Mike Tyson go from his height to where he is now, and I talked to Mike about doing his story," said Foxx. "And I said, 'Mike, how do you feel? 'I'm happy. God bless Allah, my brother.' I said, 'Why are you happy? 'I don't have any money. So I'm very happy. No one's trying to take anything from me.'
Like any A-list actor in Hollywood who takes his craft seriously, Jamie Foxx is willing to go all out for what seems to be his next passion project.
While a biopic about Mike Tyson was already released in 1995, Jamie Foxx hopes that this time, he would be able to 'make history."
"I actually gained 225 pounds to do a role at one point. And I had my makeup artist dress me up as Mike Tyson," he added. "And I was in Toronto, and people were literally coming up asking for autographs. So hopefully, Mike, if you're listening, let's make history."
