Amir El-Masry plays Prince Naseem Hamed in the boxing biopic, Giant, co-starring Pierce Brosnan. Here’s the first trailer:
It feels like there should already be a film about Prince Naseem Hamed, a former British-Yemeni boxer who rose to fame in the 90s. Thankfully, filmmaker Rowan Athale is now fixing that, bringing the boxer’s life and career to the big screen in Giant.
Giant just debuted its first trailer and you can watch it below.
As you can see from the trailer, Giant tracks the boxer’s humble beginnings as a child in Sheffield to sports superstardom as an adult. The film, which will be in cinemas later this year, focuses particularly on Hamed’s relationship with his trainer Brendan Ingle, played in the film by Pierce Brosnan. Hamed will be portrayed by Amir El-Masry, who made a lasting impression in Ben Sharrock’s Limbo in 2020.
Sylvester Stallone, who isn’t a stranger to boxing films himself, is executive producing this one. Athale previously directed the little-seen Strange But True, starring Nick Robinson, Brian Cox and Margaret Qualley. Before Brosnan and El-Masry landed the roles, Aladdin’s Mena Massoud and Paddy Considine were due to play the leads.
We’ll leave you with the full synopsis for the film:
Based on the remarkable real-life story of legendary British-Yemeni boxing champion Prince Naseem “Naz” Hamed. Charting his inspiring rags-to-riches underdog tale from his humble beginnings in Sheffield to becoming champion of the world and a global sporting icon in the 1990s, the film explores the unlikely and tender relationship between Naz and his Irish boxing trainer Brendan Ingle; and the instrumental role that Ingle played on his road to success.
With exhilarating and visceral scenes in the ring, coupled with deeply moving and intimate moments behind the curtain, GIANT is an inspiring biopic of one of the greatest showmen the sporting world has even seen – the untold true story of the boy behind The Prince. Naseem Hamed is played by Amir El-Masry (The Night Manager, Limbo, The Crown, SAS: Rogue Heroes) with Pierce Brosnan (James Bond franchise, Mamma Mia!, The Love Punch, Mobland) as Brendan Ingle.
From executive producer Sylvester Stallone (Rocky, Creed), GIANT is written and directed by film-maker Rowan Athale (Gangs of London).
Giant will be in UK cinemas on 24th October.
