Pierce Brosnan looked worlds away from his 007 days as he was seen on set of the Prince Naseem Hamed biopic Giant for the first time on Tuesday.
The actor, 70, has undergone a dramatic transformation to play the boxing great’s trainer Brendan Ingle.
Pierce’s usual impressive quiff of silver hair was hidden under a wig of white hair which was receding at the crown and was combed over.
The Hollywood star’s signature slick suits for his role as Bond were long gone as he stepped out in a blue Adidas tracksuit and a pair of spectacles in Yorkshire.
Pierce got into the fighting spirit as he curled his fists up to the camera before filming scenes.
The film is being executive produced by Rocky star Sylvester Stallone and written and directed by Rowan Athale, while Amir El-Masry, 33, takes on the role of Prince Naseem.
Amir is a British-Egyptian actor who won Best Young Actor at the Egyptian Oscars in 2009 and is known for his roles in Jon Stewart’s directorial debut, Rosewater, the multi award-winning series The Night Manager and the BAFTA-nominated The State.
Giant will tell the compelling true-life story of British-Yemeni boxer and his rags to riches ascent in the tough working-class streets of Sheffield and his discovery by Brendan, himself a steel industry worker turned boxing trainer.
The film will see the boxer become a world champion under the management of the Irish-born boxing trainer.
Brendan and Prince Naseem’s unlikely partnership along with Naz’s unorthodox style, cocky persona and sheer dominance in the ring, propelled them to the top of boxing’s elite and unprecedented levels of stardom, all in the face of racism in the 80’s and 90’s in Britain.
AGC Studios Chairman and CEO Stuart Ford said in a statement: ‘Since commissioning Rowan to write the brilliant screenplay for ‘Giant’ several years ago, we’ve been passionate about bringing this extraordinary story to the big screen.
‘Amir and Pierce will make a powerful lead duo and it’s exciting that Zygi and his team at True Brit, with their outstanding career track record in launching the best of British film to audiences, believe as fervently as we do in ‘Giant’s cinematic potential.’
The movie was was originally due to be filmed Malta, but has now begun shooting in Leeds and Yorkshire after UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced the nation’s new Independent Film Tax Credit, in which studios will receive a 40 per cent tax relief for making movies in the country.
Boxing trainer Brendan died at the age of 77 in 2018. The Irishman set up the famous Wincobank gym in Sheffield, guiding the likes of ‘Prince’ Naseem, Johnny Nelson and Junior Witter to world championships.
As a boxer he competed 34 times with a record of 19-14, but later made his name as a trainer and manager and was renowned for his famous footwork drills in the Sheffield gym.
He mentored Naseem from the age of seven and the two captured multiple featherweight world championships, while Johnny became a WBO cruiserweight title holder and Witter a former WBC light-welterweight champion.
In 1998, Ingle was awarded an MBE for his service to working with young people in the Sheffield area and British boxing. He also has an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University, where he has previously lectured.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
