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Barring the recent dumpster fire against Jake Paul, Mike Tyson has been one of the most skilled boxers in the world and held the record for being the youngest to win a world heavyweight champion title. His stardom and persona made him a pop cultural icon, which means, apart from references in songs, he was heavily parodied too.

Stand-up comic and SNL alum, Damon Wayans Sr., and his brother Keenen Ivory Wayans made several sketches parodying Tyson in In Living Color. The boxing legend was reportedly angry at the comedic duo and had even pulled up to jokingly hurt them, but one meeting with their mother changed his stance.

One meeting with Damon Wayans’ mother made Mike Tyson fight for their family Damon Wayans in In Living Color | Credits: Fox

Damon Wayans Sr. has always been an edgy comedian. His time at SNL led to him getting fired and then...

Netflix recently dropped the darkly gripping miniseries Adolescence, on Friday—and early reviews are already indicating how the show is set to make waves with its reality-based tale of a British teen accused of murdering his classmate. Boasting a stellar cast of newcomer Owen Cooper in the lead role of Jamie Miller, the four-part series also stars the show creator Stephen Graham as his father.

Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller in Adolescence | image: Netflix

Now, coming to the “based on reality” aspect of the show, we did some digging to find out what part of the tragic incident moved Stephen Graham to take inspiration and come up with this thriller. So, while Adolescence offers a thought-provoking and immersive experience for viewers, let’s check out the reality behind the Netflix series.

Source of inspiration behind Stephen Graham’s Adolescence

In the realm of television dramas, few series have managed to...

The latest Netflix hit, Adolescence, a disturbing crime drama, has left everyone wondering if the show’s events are based on a true story. Though the series itself is not directly inspired by a true story, creator Stephen Graham, who also starred in the series, has revealed the heartbreaking real-life incidents that influenced its creation.

A still from Adolescence | Credit: Netflix

Following a 13-year-old accused of brutally murdering a schoolmate, the series highlights youth violence along with male aggression against women and girls, issues rooted in real-life cases that Graham cited as key inspirations for the series.

Stephen Graham revealed the heartbreaking stories that inspired Adolescence

The new Netflix series Adolescence highlights the harrowing reality of youth-involved violent crime, as it follows the story of 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is accused of killing a teenage girl from his school.

Stephen Graham, who also played the role of Jamie’s father in the miniseries,...

In the eclectic career of the 51-year-old British actor, Stephen Graham has a filmography unlike any other. From arthouse projects like Steven Spielberg’s Band of Brothers and Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York to commercial blockbusters like Pirates of the Caribbean and Venom 3, Graham has done it all and then some.

Stephen Graham in A Thousand Blows [Credit: Disney+]

Now, the Peaky Blinders actor is reuniting with the show’s creators on a new Disney+ series that is all brute strength and gritty bare-knuckle drama in a period setting. The series, titled A Thousand Blows, has not been easy on the actor, considering the intense training regimen that he put himself through – but the result speaks for itself.

Stephen Graham goes through hell for a new series Stephen Graham and Malachi Kirby in A Thousand Blows [Credit: Disney+]

For any actor above 40 to take on a physically challenging role would require immense...

At a meeting with his agents way back in January 2022, Malachi Kirby recalls for the first time describing his dream project when pondering the direction his career may take next.

Kirby, whose star was soaring following a BAFTA-winning performance in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe, said he wanted to fulfil a life-long dream of playing a boxer, wanted to tell the story of someone who had existed, wanted to find a project set in the past and fancied his next gig being based in London.

“I never thought that would end up all being the same job,” says Kirby three years on as we chat in the weeks leading up to premier of Disney+’s A Thousand Blows.

In what was an incredible bout of serendipity, Kirby’s agents soon after received the scripts for A Thousand Blows. Steven Knight’s latest drama series spotlights Hezekiah Moscow, who was indeed...

The chemists and their friends, Winston, J, Charles, J, and Willie (and Gloria), ultimately recoup some of their losses after a shootout between Rory's gang and Dog's gang, allowing Winston to take back some cash and walk away. Big Chris and his son Little Chris, who were the most principled criminals in the movie, come out on top, as Big Chris takes the money for himself after Harry's death and becomes a lender. The ending is open-ended, but it's likely that Tom dropped the guns before answering his phone, given the string of bad luck they had experienced throughout the film and the pressure he would feel from his friends.

The ending of Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels is an open-ended cliffhanger following a long, intricate, sequence of convenient mistakes, freak accidents, and dumb luck from a heist gone wrong. As the first feature film written and directed by Guy Ritchie,...

For all his success on both sides of the Atlantic, Tom Hardy is one of Britain's most enigmatic actors. He has the star power to headline major Hollywood motion pictures, but largely refuses to become pigeon-holed, just as likely to lend his charisma to a children's bedtime story as he is a guy inhabited by a vicious alien symbiote. His best roles tend to be brooding outsiders, and he has notably hidden that handsome face behind a mask in some of his most high-profile films. He also likes tinkering with accents, with very mixed results. From wonky Welsh in "Locke" to a wandering Baltimore brogue in "The Revenant," Hardy seems to go for the vibe of a dialect rather than note-perfect elocution.

The masked man and the accent thing combined most famously in "The Dark Knight Rises," where Hardy bulked out the shoulders of hulking supervillain Bane. Not only did...

Here at Roobla we absolutely loved British biographical flick My Name is Lenny (2017). Available now on digital, DVD and Blu-ray, to celebrate, we have a copy on DVD to giveaway.

Explosive and brutal, My Name Is Lenny is based on the true story of Britain’s most notorious bareknuckle fighter: Lenny McLean (Josh Helman). A known associate of The Krays, Charles Bronson and Ronnie Biggs, Lenny was an East End icon, bouncer and enforcer at the centre of the unlicensed boxing world.

Welcome to the no-holds-barred epic portrayal of his life, from a troubled and violent childhood to his early fighting years, exploring his loving but volatile relationships and bitter rivalry with Roy Shaw (Ufc Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping) all culminating in his championship win to become: The Guv’Nor. Also starring Nick Moran, BAFTA winner Chanel Cresswell and Oscar® nominated John Hurt.

To be in with a chance of winning,...

My Name Is Lenny is a sport drama which deals with the darker side of unlicensed boxing in the 70s focusing on Lenny McLean (Josh Helman) and his three fights with the undisputed heavyweight champion Roy ‘Pretty Boy’ Shaw (Michael Bisping).

Although the film is based in the world of unlicensed boxing, the film goes beyond the fighting and looks back at some of the events that created the man Lenny was to become. Most notably his relationship with his violent stepfather, played by Lenny’s nephew Martin Askew, who is also one of screenwriters. Through flashbacks you get a glimpse of the violence of his childhood and the drive he had to fight his way out. The film doesn’t make excuses for some of his actions, but it does give you an insight of why it was so important to be known as ‘The Guv’Nor’.

Josh Helman...

"I know what I'm gunna do then: I'm gunna knock him spark out, and be back in here for lunch." Lionsgate UK has released an official trailer for My Name Is Lenny, telling the life story of famous bare-knuckle fighter Lenny McLean, who was the first to earn the iconic nickname "the Guv'nor". Josh Helman (seen in X-Men: Apocalypse, Mad Max: Fury Road, Jack Reacher) plays McLean, and the cast includes Chanel Cresswell, Nick Moran, John Hurt, Michael Bisping, Charley Palmer Rothwell, George Russo, and Rita Tushingham. This looks like an entertaining "sports" movie, following in the footsteps of films like Bronson and Snatch. It might also play well as a double feature with Chuck. This trailer is worth a look. Here's the official UK trailer (+ poster) for Ron Scalpello's My Name Is Lenny, direct from YouTube: Explosive & brutal, My Name Is Lenny is based on the true story...

British actor Sir John Hurt, whose illustrious career spans six decades, has sadly passed away at the age of 77. The gravelly voiced man of many roles was perhaps best known for his classic movies such as Alien, Harry Potter and The Elephant Man. Publicist Charles McDonald confirmed the death late Friday. According to CNN, no cause of death is given.

John Hurt made a name for himself playing tormented characters. And he was actually known as an actor who most often times died on screen. Throughout his many projects, he had 47 death scenes. Perhaps no more memorable than when he introduced the world to the iconic Chestburster in Ridley Scott's 1979 classic Alien, where a baby xenomorph came ripping through his chest during a dinner scene inside a spaceship mess hall.

John Hurt's first role was in the 1962 TV show Z cars, and he has worked steadily ever since.

East End bouncer and fighter Lenny McLane’s story is told by his son Jamie – but it’s hard to share his fondness

Jamie McLean, the son of bouncer, bare-knuckle fighter and “the toughest man in Britain”, Lenny McLean, attempts to show another side of the man who once bit off someone’s nose during a scrap. But the revelation that Lenny loved his family and was partial to cream cakes rather pales into insignificance next to the fact that he once coughed up bits of human flesh after a fight that nearly killed his friend. You wouldn’t want to be his enemy. This is a slightly prurient documentary, which goes heavy on nostalgia for the good old days of the East End, when big men in sharp suits only hurt their own.

Continue reading...

This portrait of Lenny McLean, who appeared in Guy Ritchie’s crime comedy and wanted to be London’s hardest man, is surprisingly engaging

Any future biopic of Manchester United’s Paul Ince will have to pick another title, because this one is taken. This is a surprisingly engaging and forthright film about Lenny “the Guv’nor” McLean, the East End bareknuckle fighter, club bouncer and gangland figure who became famous with a cameo role in Guy Ritchie’s movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. I expected the usual sentimental geezer-gangster stuff, and there are some cliches. But it is an interesting and personal piece of work, presented by Lenny’s son Jamie, who, despite his own problems and brushes with the law – and what I think might be undiagnosed depression – is engaging, intelligent and likable. Lenny was brutalised by an abusive stepfather and his surviving siblings still refuse to speak on camera.

Exclusive: Mark Harris will portray the bare knuckle boxing fighter in UK crime drama.

London-based Hereford Films has acquired film rights to the autobiography of Roy ‘Pretty Boy’ Shaw [pictured left], the notorious bare knuckle boxer.

Mark Harris will star as Shaw in the film, titled Pretty Boy, which will be directed by Neil Jones from a script by Ray Bogdanovich and Dean Lines, the writing duo behind upcoming crime drama The Hatton Garden Job, which is also set to star Harris.

Jones previously directed boxing biopic Risen, which won a Welsh BAFTA for leading actor Stuart Brennan in 2011.

Executive producers for Hereford Films include Billy Murray and Adam Stephen Kelly.

Shaw is noted for three fights with fellow bare knuckle boxer Lenny McLean, a biopic of whom recently wrapped shooting in London. Shaw’s story includes brushes with many of London’s most notorious criminals, including the Kray twins.

The script is based on Shaw’s popular autobiography...

Exclusive: $13m project from Salon Pictures will chart story of soldier who suffered severe burns during the Falklands War; Embankment to sell.

The story of Simon Weston, the British army veteran who endured severe burns during the Falklands War, is to be told in an ambitious new film which has Jonathan Teplitzky (The Railway Man) attached to direct.

Salon Pictures is producing the feature.

Weston came back from the brink of death to rebuild his life. He wrote best-selling autobiographies, campaigned tirelessly for charity and is regarded by many as a symbol of Britain’s war in the Falklands.

During the Falklands War in 1982 Weston was a young soldier on the ship Rfa Sir Galahad when an Argentine Skyhawk dropped a 500lb bomb, killing most of his platoon. His fight for survival and recovery took him to a dark abyss.

Teplitzky will direct from a screenplay by Alex Von Tunzelmann (Churchill) with the picture due to shoot...

Exclusive: Shooting has wrapped in East London on the Salon Pictures features.

Two-time Oscar nominee John Hurt has joined the cast of My Name Is Lenny, the boxing drama biopic from UK production outfit Salon Pictures.

Wrapping a four-week shoot in London’s East End today (Sept 19), the film tells the story of one of Britain’s most notorious bare-knuckle fighters, Lenny McLean.

Josh Helman stars as the titular Lenny, alongside Nick Moran, Chanel Cresswell, current Ufc Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping and Charlie Palmer Rothwell. Hurt has replaced Michael Gambon in the cast.

Ron Scalpello (Offender) directs from a screenplay written by Paul Van Carter and Martin Askew. Van Carter produces with his fellow Salon Pictures co-founder Nick Taussig, alongside Michael Mendelsohn of Patriot Pictures (who are financing the feature) and Jamie McLean, son of the titular Lenny. Salon’s Christopher J Reynolds is an executive producer.

Embankment is handling sales. Lionsgate picked...

Chanel Cresswell and Josh Helman in.My.Name is Lenny.

Principal photography has begun in London on My Name is Lenny, starring Aussie actor Josh Helman (X-Men: Apocalypse, Mad Max: Fury Road) as British bare-knuckle fighter Lenny McLean..

The film is being produced by Salon Pictures, which recently wrapped on Jonathan Teplitzky.s Churchill starring Brian Cox and Miranda Richardson..

Joining Helman is current Ufc middleweight champion Michael Bisping as his arch rival, Roy .Pretty Boy. Shaw as well as veterans Michael Gambon (Harry Potter, Hail Caesar) and Nick Moran (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels).

The film is directed by Ron Scalpello (Offender, Pressure) and written by Martin Askew (Rocknrolla) and Salon co-founder Paul Van Carter (one of the producers of Churchill).

Van Carter said that Salon was "delighted to finally bring the legend of Lenny to life by making an intelligent and intimate film with our amazing cast.

Shooting has begun in London on the Salon Pictures feature, which stars Josh Helman and Michael Gambon.

Lionsgate has taken UK rights to Salon Pictures’ forthcoming boxing biopic My Name Is Lenny, which stars Josh Helman (X-Men: Apocalypse) and Michael Gambon.

The film began principal photography today in London, with a four-week shoot set to take place across locales including Hoxton and Islington.

The biopic tells the story of bare knuckle boxer Lenny McLean, who grew up in 1970s East London and went on to become a champion fighter.

Ron Scalpello (Offender) directs from a screenplay written by Paul Van Carter and Martin Askew.

Van Carter produces with his fellow Salon Pictures co-founder Nick Taussig, alongside Michael Mendelsohn of Patriot Pictures (who are financing the feature) and Jamie McLean, son of the titular Lenny. Salon’s Christopher J Reynolds is an executive producer.

Embankment are handling sales.

Also on Salon Pictures’ slate is the Brian Cox-starring...

Exclusive: UK and Ireland deal for bare knuckle fighter doc The Guv’nor.

Metrodome has scored UK rights to documentary Lenny Mclean – The Guv’nor for all UK and Ireland.

The origins story explores the champion bare knuckle fighter’s relationship with his son Jamie and his crippling obsessive compulsive disorders.

Mclean appeared in Guy Ritchie’s iconic gangster film Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels.

The film is directed by Paul van Carter (Gascoigne) and produced by Nick Taussig (Anuvahood) of Salon Pictures and Jamie Mclean.

Christopher Reynolds is executive producer (Gascoigne). The film is currently in production and Metrodome intends to release in autumn 2016.

The deal was negotiated between Nick Taussig and Paul van Carter for Salon and Jezz Vernon, managing director of Metrodome.

A feature film is also in the works, with Ron Scalpello (Offender) set to direct...

Exclusive: Eva Sorhaug, Sharon Horgan and Pratibha Parmar to direct for new UK production outfit.

Fledgling London-based production company Salon Pictures has announced three new female directors for its projects. Salon founders Nick Taussig and Paul Van Carter will produce all three films.

Norwegian director Eva Sørhaug (90 Minutes) will adapt the script and direct Lenny, a biopic of bareknuckle fighter Lenny McLean. Originally set up by Taussig and Van Carter at Revolver, Salon has now acquired the underlying book rights.

Actor/writer/director Sharon Horgan, known for UK TV shows like Pulling, is attached to direct feature Meet Me in Ten Years, written by Student Oscar-winner Frances Poletti.

Finally, Pratibha Parmar will direct Intercourse, a theatrical documentary about the life and work of radical feminist writer and activist Andrea Dworkin. A number of actresses will portray Dworkin in the project. Parmar’s credits include Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth.

Given the news that American professional wrestling legend Dave Bautista (The Scorpion King 3: Battle For Redemption) has been cast as Drax in the forthcoming Marvel movie Guardians of the Galaxy, I thought I’d take a look at the ten best films to feature fighters turned actors. Check them out below:

Enter The Dragon (1973)

No list of fighters turned actor would be complete without Bruce Lee. Widely considered to be the best Martial Arts expert ever, he even invented his own Martial Arts philosophy – Jeet Kune Do. Before dying at the age of 32 Lee starred in a string of Kung Fu movies the best known of which is Enter The Dragon. What it lacks in plot and dialogue it more than makes up for in sheer power and energy.

The Mummy Returns (2001)

Dwayne Johnson found fame in the ring as ‘The Rock’ and proved to be a firm fan favourite.

American professional wrestling legend Dave Bautista (The Scorpion King 3: Battle For Redemption) heads an all-star cast in the gritty action-thriller House Of The Rising Sun, which is released on DVD on Monday. The film is based on the novel by formal federal agent Chuck Hustmyre and co-stars Amy Smart (Crank), Danny Trejo (Machete), Craig Fairbrass (The Bank Job) and Dominic Purcell (Prison Break).

To celebrate the launch of the film’s release, we have put together a list of films starring some of sport and fighting’s hardest men…

Enter The Dragon – 1973

No list of fighters turned actor would be complete without Bruce Lee. Widely considered to be the best Martial Arts expert ever, he even invented his own Martial Arts philosophy – Jeet Kune Do. Before dying at the age of 32 Lee starred in a string of Kung Fu movies the best known of which is Enter The Dragon.

London, Aug 17: Gerard Butler tops the wish list drawn by producers to play “Britain’s hardest man” Lenny McLean.

The ‘300’ star is being seen as the ideal man to portray the notorious bare-knuckle brawler, a violent East End enforcer known as The Guv’nor.

According to producers, the story of Mclean “typifies the sheer brutality of growing up in the East End through the post-war years”, Contactmusic reported.

The 41-year-old Scottish actor is facing competition from action man Jason Statham and ‘X-Men’ star Michael Fassbender for the role. (Ani)...

Gerard Butler is set to play notorious boxer Lenny McLean in a new movie. The 'Bounty Hunter' actor is being lined up to take on the role of one of Britain's most famous bare-knuckle fighters in the film as producers see him as the ideal person to portray the man known as 'The Guv'nor'. Insiders said the script - which is based on the book 'The Guv'nor Tapes' - aims to offer ''an uncompromising account of his violent and notorious life from his humble beginnings in Hoxton, East London to boxer, bouncer, bare-knuckle fighter, actor, accused murderer and...

I hope you know the tough guy playing the part of Barry The Baptist in Guy Ritchie’s gangster comedy Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. Well, this is the same Lenny McLean aka The Guv’nor, on which life story the U.K. production house Revolver Entertainment is developing a script. The Guv’nor, was a famed East [...]

Continue reading Statham, Butler and Fassbender for the Film with Working Title The Guv’Nor on FilmoFilia

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