Lonnie Ali Reveals Jaalen Best to Play Her Late Husband
‘The Total Package’: Lonnie Ali Reveals Why Newcomer Jaalen Best Was the Only Choice to Play Her Late Husband
NEW YORK — The search for the man to inhabit the boots of the most iconic sportsman in history is officially over. At a high-profile Amazon MGM Studios presentation on Monday, Lonnie Ali, the widow of the late Muhammad Ali, revealed that newcomer Jaalen Best secured the lead role in the upcoming series The Greatest because he possessed the rare "package" required to channel the legend.
Appearing onstage at the Beacon Theatre alongside executive producer Michael B. Jordan, Lonnie Ali offered a rare glimpse into the rigorous casting process for the first-ever scripted project fully authorised by the Ali estate.
The ‘Spirit’ of the Champ
The task of portraying Muhammad Ali has long been considered one of the most daunting challenges in Hollywood, previously undertaken by the likes of Will Smith and Eli Goree. However, for the new Prime Video biographical drama, Lonnie Ali insisted that the production team look beyond mere physical resemblance.
“When you’re looking for someone to play Muhammad, you’re not just looking for an actor; you’re looking for a spirit,” Lonnie Ali told the audience. “Jaalen didn't just have the footwork or the voice. He had the total package, that combination of wit, vulnerability, and that defiant, beautiful soul that Muhammad carried. He understood the man behind the gloves.”
A ‘Knockout’ Ensemble
While Best, a relative newcomer whose previous credits include All American: Homecoming, takes the titular role, he is backed by a heavyweight supporting cast. The series aims to provide a comprehensive look at the "people who made the Champ", spanning his transition from Cassius Clay to the global figurehead of social justice.
[Table: The Greatest – Casting the Inner Circle]
| Actor | Role | Significance |
| Jaalen Best | Muhammad Ali | The "Total Package" lead; estate-approved. |
| Omari Hardwick | Cassius "Cash" Clay Sr. | Ali’s father; a painter and influence on his flair. |
| Dana Gourrier | Odessa "Bird" Clay | The matriarch; Ali’s moral compass. |
| Michael Ealy | Malcolm X | The spiritual and political mentor. |
| Giovanni Ribisi | Angelo Dundee | The legendary cornerman and trainer. |
| Amin Joseph | Sonny Liston | The "Big Ugly Bear"; Ali’s first major rival. |
Production Moves to the ‘North’
The series, created and show-run by Ben Watkins (Hand of God), has already made significant headway. While the project was unveiled in New York, production has been centred in Toronto and Cobourg, Canada, which have been transformed to resemble 1960s Louisville and Miami.
Filming on the initial block of episodes wrapped earlier this month, with the "sizzle reel" shown on Monday reportedly bringing several members of the audience to tears—including Michael B. Jordan, whose own Creed franchise was heavily inspired by Ali’s showmanship.
The Verdict
For Amazon MGM, The Greatest represents a massive cultural win. By securing the estate's blessing and Lonnie Ali’s active participation, the series avoids the "sanitised" pitfalls of many biopics.
As Lonnie Ali noted before leaving the stage: “Muhammad always said he wanted his life story told the right way. With this team, and with Jaalen’s ‘package’ of talent, we are finally doing that.”
With the series expected to premiere in early 2027, the world is once again preparing to witness the greatest story ever told—one round at a time.
