Samuel L. Jackson is set to join Kevin Hart in the Peacock true crime limited series, “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist.” Ordered to series in December, the show is based on the Packer-produced podcast chronicling an armed robbery during Muhammad Ali’s 1970 comeback fight in Atlanta.
Jackson will portray Frank Moten, known as “the Black Godfather.” The series, created by Shaye Ogbonna, explores the aftermath of Ali’s historic victory over Jerry Quarry, turning into one of the largest armed robberies in U.S. history during the celebratory night.
Ogbonna and Jason Horwitch will serve as showrunners, unraveling the stories of a hustler and an Atlanta detective, one of the city’s first Black police officers. The series aims to shed light on Atlanta’s identity as “the Black Mecca.”
Executive producers include Bryan Smiley, Mike Stein, Will Packer, Sabrina Wind, Conal Byrne, Will Pearson, Carrie Lieberman, Jeff Keating, and Lars Jacobson. Craig Brewer, director of “Dolemite Is My Name,” is set to direct the first two episodes, with Tiffany Brown and Kenny Burns co-executive producing.
The project reunites Hart and Will Packer with Peacock, following their collaborations on “Hart to Heart” and streaming Hart’s stand-up special, “Reality Check.” Produced by Universal Television, the story, initially developed as a feature film by Universal Pictures, has evolved into a podcast and now a limited series, maintaining its focus on the significant events of Ali’s 1970 comeback fight.