'The Greatest': How different is Prime Video's upcoming Muhammad Ali biopic series compared to other adaptations?
Published on: July 6, 2026, 1:50 p.m. | Source: THE WEEK
Prime Video has announced an eight-episode biographical sports drama limited series titled "The Greatest," set to premiere on November 4, 2026, which will star Jaalen Best as Muhammad Ali and is created by Ben Watkins. This series marks the first scripted adaptation fully authorized by Ali's estate, with his widow, Lonnie Ali, serving as an executive producer alongside Michael B. Jordan, granting unprecedented access to private family archives and personal perspectives for a deeply intimate exploration of Ali's life beyond what has been previously depicted in films or documentaries. The first season will focus on Ali's formative years, beginning with his 1960 Olympic gold medal win and concluding with his 1964 victory over Sonny Liston, a stark contrast to the 2001 film "Ali" which covered a different decade of his life and was an independent interpretation rather than an estate-backed collaboration. The series boasts a notable supporting cast, including Michael Ealy as Malcolm X and Amin Joseph as Sonny Liston, and its eight-episode format allows for a more comprehensive portrayal of Ali's personal relationships and early life than shorter film adaptations.
