With a powerful lead duo and a compelling storyline, ‘Giant‘ promises to be a cinematic masterpiece.” In the world of boxing, there's a new contender on the horizon, and it's not just another fighter in the ring. ‘Giant' is a highly anticipated sports drama that tells the true-life story of British-Yemeni boxer Prince Naseem “Naz” Hamed and his rise to world championship glory. The film is set to star none other than the legendary Pierce Brosnan as Hamed's Irish-born trainer, Brendan Ingle, and the talented Amir El-Masry as the boxer himself.
The project, which has been in the works for several years, is finally coming to fruition under the direction of Rowan Athale, whose credits include ‘The Rise,' ‘Gangs of London,' and ‘Strange But True.' With a screenplay penned by Athale himself, ‘Giant' promises to be a compelling tale of triumph over adversity, set against the backdrop of rampant Islamophobia in Britain in the 1980s and 1990s.
The film's production has been relocated to the UK, thanks to the British government's recently announced Independent Film Tax Credit. This move has allowed the producers to reconfigure the cast, which originally included Paddy Considine and Mena Massoud as the leads. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the roles have now been taken over by Brosnan and El-Masry, who are sure to deliver a powerful performance.
Brosnan, who is represented by CAA, Viewpoint, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox, is no stranger to the world of action and drama. His portrayal of Ingle is expected to be a nuanced and compelling performance, showcasing the trainer's unwavering dedication to his craft and his protégé.
El-Masry, who is represented by Ollie Azis, is a rising star in the industry, known for his versatile performances in a variety of roles. His portrayal of Hamed is sure to be a tour de force, capturing the boxer's raw talent, determination, and charisma.
The film is being produced by Mark Lane of Tea Shop Productions and Kevin Sampson of White Star Productions, alongside AGC chairman and CEO Stuart Ford. AGC Studios and BondIt Media Capital are financing the project, with Sylvester Stallone and Braden Aftergood of Balboa Productions, AGC Studios' Miguel Palos, Zach Garrett and Anant Tamirisa, BondIt's Matthew Helderman, Luke Taylor, and Tyler Gould, Michael Ewing, and True Brit's Zygi Kamasa serving as executive producers.
True Brit Entertainment has acquired U.K. distribution rights, with AGC International handling international sales. Principal photography is scheduled to commence in Leeds, England in late April, making ‘Giant' one of the first productions to relocate back to the U.K. following the recent Independent Film Tax Credit announcement by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.
AGC chairman and CEO Stuart Ford expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Since commissioning Rowan to write the brilliant screenplay for ‘Giant' several years ago, we've been passionate about bringing this extraordinary story to the big screen. Amir and Pierce will make a formidable lead duo, and it's exciting that Zygi and his team at True Brit, with their impressive track record in launching the best of British film to audiences, share our belief in ‘Giant's cinematic potential.
“The film's powerful lead duo, combined with its compelling storyline and impressive production team, is sure to make ‘Giant' a must-see for fans of boxing and drama alike. With its U.K. distribution rights secured and international sales underway, the film is poised to make a big impact on the global stage.
But what do you think? Are you excited to see Pierce Brosnan and Amir El-Masry in ‘Giant'? Who are some of your favorite boxing films, and what do you think sets ‘Giant' apart from the rest? Let us know in the comments below!
