Actors Pierce Brosnan (Mrs. Doubtfire, the James Bond franchise) and Amir El-Masry (The Night Manager, The State) have signed on to star in the sports drama Giant. The story is based on the true-life story of British-Yemeni boxer Prince Naseem “Naz” Hamed, and his rags to riches ascent to a world championship under the tutelage of his Irish-born boxing trainer Brendan Ingle.
El-Masry will play Naz and Brosnan is set to portray Ingle. The film will be written and directed by Rowan Athale (The Rise, Gangs of London, Strange But True). Sylvester Stallone has signed on to executive produce.
Giant is the true story of Hamed’s humble beginnings on the tough working-class streets of Sheffield and his discovery by Ingle, himself a steel industry worker turned boxing trainer. Their unlikely partnership along with Naz’s unorthodox style, cocky persona and sheer dominance in the ring, propelled them to the top of boxing’s elite and global stardom, all in the face of the rampant Islamophobia and racism of 80s and 90s Britain.
The film is set to begin shooting soon in the U.K.
