Jamie Foxx to play Mike Tyson

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11th Annual Governors Awards at the Dolby Theater on October 27, 2019 in Los Angeles, CA
Photo: Nicky Nelson/WENN.com

Jamie Foxx is going through a "process" to prepare for his role as Mike Tyson in the forthcoming biopic Finding Mike.

The Oscar-winning actor has already begun to transform his body to match the former boxer's physique, but Foxx's former trainer-turned-stylist told Britain's The Sun newspaper the journey is as much about his mental state as it is his physical strength.

Explaining the star will need to go into a "dark hole" mentally to portray Tyson, Jack Manson insisted his pal has what it takes to deliver a standout performance.

"Will he train, will he be ready for this role? He definitely will be. But I think the story is bigger than just boxing," he shared. "I don't think it's centered around Jamie getting in shape to play this boxer, I think the story is more ... Who is Mike Tyson? What is his journey?

"It'll be good, but I think people will have to be patient and let the process happen," Manson added.

Foxx was initially attached to the movie back in 2014, and revealed Martin Scorsese would direct, with Terence Winter writing the screenplay. Both are believed to still be on board.

Explaining why the film took so long to come into fruition, Manson revealed the team struggled to find "the right script," which would, "tell Mike's story from a place he is now and go back... Mike is a very complex individual."

"He needed someone to tell the story without just focusing on all the bad s**t that went on, humanise him," he shared. "Jamie wants to do it justice, and he also doesn't want to demonize him either, in a way that makes him look like an imbecile.

Tyson has experienced his share of controversies, including being convicted of raping an 18-year-old former Miss Black America contestant in 1992, public battles with depression, and drug and alcohol addiction.