Source: Roy Rochlin / Getty
Omari Hardwick has a new gig and it’s a good one. He’s set to play Muhammad Ali’s father Cassius “Cash” Clay, Sr. in the upcoming Prime Video series The Greatest.
It tells the story of the late boxing legend who grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and learned to box after his bicycle was stolen. Ali would ultimately become an Olympic champion and three-time heavyweight champion, the first boxer to accomplish that distinction. After his boxing career, he became a philanthropist, humanitarian and pop culture icon, revered for his work to unite humanity across ethnic and socioeconomic divisions.
Hardwick will be joined by Dana Gourrier, who made appearances on TV and film in P-Valley, The Hateful Eight, The United State Vs. Billie Holiday and Django Unchained. She will play Odessa “Bird” Clay, Ali’s mother.
Jaalen Best who played Ryan Craig on Season 2 of All American: Homecoming has already been cast as Ali and Ben Watkins, who brought Cross to Prime starring Aldis Hodge in the lead role will be the showrunner. Ali’s third wife, Lonnie Ali, is among the executive producers, which also Michael B. Jordan and Roc Nation.
Per the official description, the series will cover, “The amazing victories and defeats that made Ali a legend, both in and out of the ring, have been well documented and while those landmark events will live in The Greatest the heartbeat of the story is fueled by all the moments that took place outside of the spotlight. The world remembers an icon, but The Greatest is about a man, a husband, a father, a brother and a son.”
Watkins, who received widespread acclaim and a quick Season 2 renewal for his take on the Alex Cross character originated by James Patterson, said last year, “To be trusted with the honor of telling the story of my most cherished hero, Muhammad Ali, is humbling and scary, and a dream come true,” he said in a statement. “I am filled with an overwhelming sense of pride, responsibility and most of all, gratitude.”
