It was only a matter of time really before we had a Tiger Woods biopic - the golfing legend is set to join the ranks of Elton John, Freddie Mercury, Elvis and countless others as he is set to get his own film.
Amazon MGM Studios (who else) has acquired the film rights to Kevin Cook’s book The Tiger Slam: The Inside Story of the Greatest Golf Ever Played - although, we’re hoping they maybe cut down that title when it becomes a film.
According to Deadline, Reinaldo Marcus Green, the face (and annoyingly insane talent) behind hit biopics One Love and King Richard will be directing. Does this mean Will Smith could be featuring as Tiger? We wouldn’t put it past him…
Oh, and just in case you were wondering what kind of high profile American A-listers are rumoured to be producing, it’s the actual Obamas. Like, the ex-president and his wife, Obamas. That’s got to be a flex for Tiger.
So which actor will live up to the golfing GOAT’s legacy? Tiger himself has already mentioned he’d like Denzel Washington or Samuel L Jackson to be considered in a biopic, so watch this space. Here are our top 6 picks to take the role…
1. Will Smith
Although he’s fallen in and out of Hollywood graces over the past years (with that slap), Will Smith has to be in the running for this - not only his ability to play almost any role, but thanks to his performance in King Richard, and ongoing relationship with director Green, he is likely to be considered for this biopic. Although, this is a biopic about Woods’ early years, so he may have to pile on the moisturiser. He's got experience out on the green too, with 2001's golf drama The Legend of Bagger Vance.
2. Anthony Mackie
Anthony Mackie has shot to fame thanks to the little known, indie role of Captain America in 2014, and is currently starring in its continuation film - Captain America: Brave New World. However, he has also starred in some pretty impressive roles outside of the Marvel Universe including 8 Mile , Brother to Brother, and All the Way, as well as dabbling in some theatre. And, he’s a keen golfer, even competing at the Pro-Am Sony Open in Hawaii - it’s a match made in heaven, or at least on the Green.
3. Michael B Jordan
With the film is focusing on Woods’ early life and career, it feels only fair to include Michael B Jordan in the list. Maybe the title People’s Sexiest Man Alive and Tiger Woods don’t feel like a natural fit, but we still think Michael B Jordan could hold both titles and make it work. Also as a lifelong sports fan, maybe a turn to golf would be Jordan’s next logical step.
4. LaKeith Stanfield
You’d recognise LaKeith Stanfield from a number of roles including Cash Green in Sorry to Bother You, Get Out and Atlanta. He’s done crime thrillers, Westerns, horror, and biographical drama - so maybe a sporting biopic is next on his list?
5. John Boyega
It may be rogue to throw a British actor in the mix - but if Rami Malek can do Bohemian Rhapsody, John Boyega can do Tiger Woods. Besides, we know he can do a flawless American accent thanks to his role in the Star Wars franchise. It would definitely be verging on the unexpected as a choice, but you can’t deny Boyega’s natural acting talent.
6. Jamie Foxx
Call this one the wildcard entry, but we genuinely believe there is no role that Jamie Foxx couldn’t do. No matter who has a biopic written about them - Obama, Graham Norton, Queen Elizabeth II - Jamie Foxx should be in the running to star. All jokes aside, Foxx has one of the most impressive Hollywood resumes behind him: from baddie Bats in Baby Driver, to loveable Matt in Back in Action, and not forgetting his surprising brilliance as Curtis Taylor Jr in Dreamgirls, nor his gravitas as the President in White House Down. So let’s just say if he was cast, we would not be surprised in the slightest.
Main Photo Credit: Tristan Fewings / Getty Images, Gregg DeGuire/WireImage, Amanda Edwards/Getty Images, Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images