Ali has challenging words for actor Smith

Thursday, March 9, 2000 | 8:46 a.m.

Muhammad Ali took a friendly poke Wednesday at actor Will Smith, who is playing the former boxer in a feature film.

Ali joined stars, producers, directors and studio executives at a luncheon highlighting Sony Pictures' upcoming movie slate for theater owners attending their annual ShoWest convention.

Smith will star in "Ali," a biographical film that will cover the boxer's early career as Cassius Clay and his later years as Ali, including comeback fights with Joe Frazier and George Foreman.

Ali, whose Parkinson's syndrome impairs his speech, slows his walk and causes his hands to tremble, told the crowd that "some guy named Will Smith" will have tough shoes to fill.

"He's supposed to be playing me," Ali said in a barely audible voice. "It's impossible."

Ali received a standing ovation from the crowd and stars on the Sony stage, including Mel Gibson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kim Basinger and Salma Hayek.

"Ali" is scheduled to hit theaters in summer 2001.

archive