Mike Tyson is taking on a new opponent, and it appears to be Hollywood as a whole.
The legendary heavyweight fighter blasted the Disney-basked streaming service Hulu on Thursday for greenlighting the eight-episode biopic series “Iron Mike” without his involvement or authorization.
“Hulu's announcement to do an unauthorized mini-series of the Tyson story without compensation, although unfortunate, isn't surprising,” Tyson said in a statement posted on Instagram.
“This announcement on the heels of social disparities in our country is a prime example of how Hulu's corporate greed led to this tone-deaf cultural misappropriation of the Tyson life story. To make this announcement during Black History Month only confirms Hulu's concern for dollars over respect for black story rights. Hollywood needs to be more sensitive to black experiences especially after all that has transpired in 2020. The real Mike Tyson authorized story is in development and will be announced in coming days. Hulu to announce stealing a black athletes story during Black History month couldn't be more inappropriate or tone deaf. #boycotthulu #corporategreed.
“These actions taken by Hulu are just the tip of the iceberg. We shouldn't be surprised by these abhorrent actions as they represent the systemic racism that has plagued Hollywood for its entire existence. These corporate giants hide behind plays and praise themselves for offering tone-deaf attempts at diversity and inclusion like Hulu's "Black Stories" playlist that recommends stories about Black culture to viewers on the app. Yet behind closed doors they steal stories from the Black community. #BoycottHulu”
Hulu declined comment on Tyson's statement via The Hollywood Reporter, who reported that Hulu executives briefed Tyson and his team on the series a couple months ago.
THR describes that “Iron Mike” will “explore the wild, tragic and controversial life and career behind what the streamer calls ‘one of the most polarizing figures in sports culture.’”
Screenwriter Steven Rogers of “I, Tonya” fame created the “Iron Mike” series, and Karin Gist will serve as executive producer for the limited series created for Disney's 20th Television. Craig Gillespie will be the director.
The authorized story Tyson alluded to in his statement could perhaps be the biopic film of which Jamie Foxx has been attached to in recent years.
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, via email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or on www.ManoukAkopyan.com
