Michael Ealy is stepping into the shoes of one of history’s most powerful voices. The Think Like a Man and Barbershop star has been tapped to play Malcolm X in Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming limited series The Greatest—a bold, authorized deep dive into the life of Muhammad Ali. The Greatest stars newcomer Jaalen Best as the boxing legend himself, tracing Ali’s transformation from Cassius Clay to global icon. It’s a story of conviction, controversy, and the personal relationships that shaped the man behind the gloves—none more complex than his brotherhood with Malcolm X. Ealy’s portrayal will spotlight the highs and tensions in their bond, as the civil rights movement swirled around them. He joins a stacked cast that includes Omari Hardwick as Cassius Clay Sr., Dana Gourrier as Odessa Clay, Kai Parham as Ali’s brother Rudy, and Snowfall’s Amin Joseph as Sonny Liston, Ali’s infamous rival in the ring. Behind the camera is showrunner Ben Watkins (Hand of God), with Michael B. Jordan executive producing through his Outlier Society banner. Lonnie Ali, Muhammad’s widow, is also onboard, ensuring the story is as personal as it is powerful. Produced by Amazon MGM Studios, Blue Monday Productions, and Outlier Society, The Greatest explores the trials, faith, fame, and fearlessness of a man who changed the world with more than just his fists. No release date has been announced yet, but with this kind of cast and creative firepower, it’s already shaping up to be a knockout.
