Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 4 hrs ago
The Greatest Team Explains How It Brought Muhammad Ali’s Story to the Screen
The Greatest is an eight-episode series about Muhammad Ali’s rise from Cassius Clay to heavyweight champion.
Creator Ben Watkins said he wanted to show Ali as a person, not only as a famous boxing icon.
He discussed the series with members of its creative team at an event in Los Angeles.
Ali’s widow, Lonnie Ali, supported a portrayal that included his flaws, fears and vulnerabilities.
The team also used contemporary music, a choice that brought challenges during post-production.
An original song by Wyclef Jean, “Gladiator,” became part of the series’ opening episode and main title music.
The series was made with the blessing of Ali’s family, and its creators hope it will connect with younger viewers as well as longtime fans.
The team behind Prime Video’s eight-episode series “The Greatest” discussed how they brought Muhammad Ali’s story to the screen.
Creator Ben Watkins said he wanted to show Ali as a person with flaws, fears and vulnerabilities, rather than only as an icon.
Watkins said Ali’s widow, Lonnie Ali, supported that approach because it could make Ali more relatable.
The production team used contemporary music, including Wyclef Jean’s original song “Gladiator,” which became the main title music.
The discussion took place at an IndieWire event at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles.
- Who
- Creator Ben Watkins and members of the series’ production team discussed their work.
- What
- They explained how they made “The Greatest,” an eight-episode series about Muhammad Ali.
- When
- The event was held on October 22, 2026.
- Where
- Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles, California.
- Why
- Watkins said he wanted to show Ali as a relatable person, including his flaws and vulnerabilities.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Watkins pitched Lonnie Ali on portraying Muhammad Ali as a person with flaws and vulnerabilities.
The team developed the music for the series, including Wyclef Jean’s original song “Gladiator.
The team discussed the series at an IndieWire event at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles.
IndieWire published its report on the discussion.
- Episodes
- Eight
- Creator
- Ben Watkins
- Ali’s widow
- Lonnie Ali
- Original song
- Gladiator,” by Wyclef Jean
- Event venue
- Pacific Design Center, Los Angeles
- Event date
- October 22, 2026
1 source
What people are saying
One of the things I want to do is humanize Muhammad Ali because everybody sort of pictures him as a fully formed icon and legend.
I got to show flaws and fears and vulnerabilities and tell the truth like that.
That’s what I want too
I think we went through about 120 songs