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PEOPLE & ARTS Tuesday 13 december 2016
LeBron James producing Muhammad Ali documentary for HBO

LOS ANGELES (AP) — King paved the way for all ath-
James is set to tell the story letes and people of ev-
of The Greatest. ery race and gender that
Cleveland Cavaliers star came after him, myself in-
LeBron James will be the cluded. It’s important that
executive producer of an his story continues for gen-
HBO documentary on Mu- erations to come.”
hammad Ali, who died James’ SpringHill Entertain-
earlier this year. The as-yet- ment, which he co-found-
untitled film will be directed ed with business partner
by Antoine Fuqua, who and close friend Maverick
also helmed the boxing Carter, will produce the
drama “Southpaw” and multipart film. HBO says
“Training Day.” Fuqua will the documentary will “ex-
also produce. plore Ali’s greatest triumphs
James has been a longtime and comebacks, painting
admirer of Ali, the boxing an intimate portrait of a
great and social activist. man who, against all odds,
James recently pledged a dreamed and achieved
$2.5 donation to a new ex- the impossible, over and
hibit on Ali at the Smithson- over again.”
ian Institution. HBO said it will combine
“It’s tough to put into words archival footage with cin-
how much it means to me ematic recreations to tell In this June 19, 2016, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James answers questions as he holds
to be a part of this project Ali’s story. his daughter Zhuri during a post-game press conference after winning the NBA title by defeating
honoring the legacy and Ali’s family is also partici- the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.
telling the extremely impor- pating in the project, and Associated Press
tant story of the great Mu- his widow, Lonnie Ali, was appeal,” she said. “I’m ence and fans. Without a most important one being,
hammad Ali,” he said. “He excited about James’ in- hopeful this documentary doubt, Muhammad’s life to see and embrace the
transcended sports and volvement. will engage the audience journey provides simple yet humanity in all people.”
used his platform to em- “This documentary will in a similar way Muham- extraordinary lessons for Ali died June 3 at the age
power people, which have national and global mad engaged his audi- all of us, with perhaps the of 74.q