ICONIC ORIGINAL CONTRACT TO MAKE THE MOVIE ‘ALI’ SIGNED BY MUHAMMAD ALI AND THE MOVIE’S EXECUTIVE PRODUCER.
1990 Muhammad Ali Signed Contract Authorizing the “Ali” Motion Picture Starring Will Smith. Silver screen and boxing history collide in this four-page document signed by boxing’s greatest star signifying his authorization to create a motion picture based upon his life. Though it would be a decade before the film would come to fruition, let there be no mistake that this is the paperwork that spawned “Ali,” starring Will Smith–in fact, it originated from the collection of Executive Producer Lee Caplin, who signs the final page with Ali. Both likewise initial each of the other three pages where small handwritten modifications were made, indicating acceptance of these alterations. The document is stamped “Confidential” on the first page. Original storage folds, otherwise fine.
Ranked number twenty-one on ESPN’s list of the twenty-five greatest sports films of all time, “Ali” figures to be the primary source for remembering the legendary Heavyweight Champion in future years, in much the same way as “Eight Men Out” serves as our main touchstone to the events of the 1919 World Series. Whether the film eventually settles into the iconic status afforded to films like “The Pride of the Yankees” and “Raging Bull” remains to be seen, but those owning the seminal documents from those films are certainly sitting pretty today. Included is an original film poster signed by Caplin. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.
