Sony Pictures needs 1,500 extras in Shreveport area for biopic about boxing legend George Foreman, who's a native of Marshall, Texas

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) — Sony Pictures is looking to hire 1,500 people in the Shreveport area.

Company representatives told City Council members Tuesday, Sept. 14 that the 1,500 are needed as extras for an upcoming production about an ArkLaTex native.

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This project is early into the preproduction phase. So casting information is forthcoming, possibly within a few weeks. When details are announced, they will first be posted on the Shreveport-Bossier Film Assistance website and added to all of KSLA News 12′s platforms.

It’s the the story of Marshall, Texas, native and boxing legend George Foreman’s life.

Filming of the biopic is set to begin later this year.

The filmmaker originally was set to film the biopic about the two-time world heavyweight champion in New Orleans. The production was moved to Shreveport due to Hurricane Ida.

Sony’s representatives said the company anticipates spending about $5 million in the Shreveport area.

The George Tillman Jr.-directed biopic is being produced under Sony’s AFFIRM Films label.

Deadline.com reports that Khris Davis has landed the role of Foreman and that Sullivan Jones has been cast as legendary fighter Muhammad Ali. The website also says that the biopic is set to be released Sept. 16, 2022.

After boxing, Foreman went on to become a preacher, an entrepreneur and a rancher.

His website says his ranch at Marshall spans more than 300 acres. It’s home to Icelandic stallions, Arabian horses, goats, cows, llamas, donkeys, deer and various other animals plus birds including ostriches, turkeys and pigeons, according to Foreman’s website.

Before the hurricane forced the production to leave New Orleans, there was a casting call for real boxers, men ages 18-35, as well as experienced referees for Heart of a Lion, according to a story that ProjectCasting.com posted in July.