A new biopic about boxing icon Muhammed Ali, with Micheal B. Jordan and Jay-Z behind the scenes as producers, is being filmed in some Ontario cities.
‘The Greatest’, a Muhammad Ali series
The biographical series reportedly started shooting in on April 21, according to production by the Film & Television Industry Alliance. Filming is supposed to wrap up by July 22, according to Ontario Creates.
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Aside from Toronto, cast and crew also shot some scenes in Cobourg. served as a stand in for an American town featured in the show. Filming was reportedly done inside and outside Victoria Hall and at a private residence east of Cobourg.
King Street, between Third and Hibernia streets, were closed to shoot scenes depicting a faux parade.
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“Welcoming film productions to Cobourg plays a vital role in driving economic development and boosting tourism,” said Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland.
Vintage cars line a Cambridge street for the Amazon series “The Greatest” about Muhammad Ali.
Joe McGinty
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Aside from Toronto and Cobourg, also hosted the show’s cast and crew. In early May, downtown Galt was transformed into 1960s Louisville, Kentucky to recreate the birthplace of the boxer.
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An old bus marked as Louisville Transit Co.
Joe McGinty/Waterloo Region Record
Houses on the historic were set up with American flags, a vintage bus marked as Louisville Transit Co. was found parked on the road, and crews were seen setting up at a home on Lansdowne. The latter was used as a stand in for Ali’s childhood home.
A film crew shoots at a Cambridge home for the Muhammad Ali series “The Greatest.” Cambridge was standing in for Louisville, Ky.
Joe McGinty
Also in May, production crews were seen in Hamilton, shooting on , inside the Scottish Rite during the day and Laidlaw Memorial United Church that night.
Crew members were seen standing amid cranes carrying lights for the filming.
A crew member stands amid cranes carrying huge lights to film the Muhammad Ali TV bio-series at Laidlaw Memorial United Church on Ottawa Street North.
Daniel Nolan photo
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What we know so far about the new Muhammad Ali series
Produced by actor Michael B. Jordan and music producer Jay-Z, along with Ali’s widow, Lonnie Ali, Ben Watkins and others, the show promises to show another side of the famed athlete.
It will explore his life beyond the spotlight and outside of the ring as a husband, father, brother, and son, according to Amazon.
Actor Jaalen Best (“All American: Homecoming″) has been cast to play Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) in the series.
“With Jaalen Best, we have uncovered a soulful gem. He is such a talented young man who not only embodies Muhammad, but exudes his resilience, courage, charisma and confidence,” Lonnie Ali said in an Amazon news release.
When will the show be on Amazon Prime?
“The Greatest” will screen exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide, according to Amazon.
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No official announcement has been made on the show’s premiere date.
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Loraine Centeno is a reporter with the Metroland Digital Content
Centre.
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