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HBO presents

Will Smith, Former Heavyweight Champion Michael Bentt, and trainer Darrell Foster
A Biography of Muhammad Ali

October 21, 2000

Actor Will Smith, former heavyweight champion Michael Bentt and Will's trainer, Darrell Foster, discuss boxing and Will's new biographical movie about Muhammad Ali.

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HBO: Well chatters, here's your chance to talk to Will Smith! Ask him what's going on in his life and what his plans are for the future. Don't forget that former heavyweight champion Michael Bentt and Darrell Foster, Will's trainer, are also here for some action. Welcome, Will, Michael and Darrell!

Will: What's happening!

Darrell: Hello!

Michael: What's up, girls and guys?

Roy Jones: What is the movie based on, Will?

Will: The Muhammad Ali film is based on the 1964 to 1974 period of Muhammad Ali's life. 1964 is when he won the heavyweight championship from Sonny Liston, and 1974 is when he won it again from George Foreman, the first man to ever do that. Basically, the period between '64 and '74 was the most turbulent in his life. It goes through the Vietnam issues, being stripped of his title, and his comeback.

Sternchen: Will, why did you choose this role, and what does it mean to you?

Will: Well, I guess I chose the role because Muhammad Ali called me and asked me to do it. Initially I turned the role down at least six times, because I thought it was too much. Here is the man who is the greatest of all time, and I didn't think I was prepared for, or up to the role. Director Michael Mann and I subsequently met Darrell Foster who began training me in early May, and I realized that something that Muhammad Ali and I have in common is that we are both the greatest.

Neo Solo: What is going to be your biggest motivation for playing this character?

Will: Muhammad Ali comes down and watches me train, and his family is really involved in the film. I saw the look in his eyes the first day that he saw me in the ring, and he personally asked me to help create this cinematic masterpiece for his legacy. So that is more motivation than any human being needs for anything.

Number1 Stunner: This question is for Mr. Smith--are you planning to make a song for this movie like you did for some of your other movies?

Will: No, I don't think so, no song for this one. It is really a different kind of film, much more dramatic, much more serious, so I'm not planning to do one.

Darrell: If you do, can we sing backup? If Will does make a song, Al "Ice" Cole and I will sing backup!

Neo Solo: Will, is this a sign of more serious roles to come?

Will: Well, I'm excited about being able to play slightly more dramatic characters, and slightly more intense roles. But I think in my nature, I am a comedian. I like to have fun, and I like to really enjoy myself through comedy, so I'm sure I will find my way back very quickly to playing great comedic roles.

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