The stars turned out in Los Angeles on Wednesday night to pay homage both to boxing legend Muhammad Ali and actor Will Smith, star of the eagerly-anticipated biopic, Ali. Tom Hanks, Antonio Banderas, Drew Barrymore, Halle Berry and Russell Crowe were all on hand for the Los Angeles premiere of the film, an early contender for Best Picture glory at the Academy Awards.
“The Greatest” himself, though unable to cross the Atlantic for the London premiere earlier in the week, attended the Mann’s Chinese Theater screening. A roar not unlike that following his “Rumble In The Jungle” victory could be heard outside the bash, as Sean “P Diddy” Combs, The Green Mile’s Michael Clarke Duncan and Magic Johnson all feted the three-time heavyweight world champion.
Will Smith himself drew a round of applause, and not just from fans who remember his days as the Fresh Prince with keen nostalgia. The Men In Black star trained rigorously for Ali and his transition and command performance are receiving rave reviews worldwide.
“He blazed in it,” says actor Mario Van Peebles of his co-star. But as for Will’s Oscar chances, Mario remains mum: “I’m not a film critic so I will leave that to the wise men.”
Ali opens in the US on Christmas Day before hitting UK screens on January 11.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
