Wait, is that really Pierce Brosnan?
On Tuesday, April 23, the renowned actor stepped into an entirely new look to portray Brendan Ingle, the legendary trainer of boxing icon Prince Naseem Hamed, in the highly anticipated sports drama Giant.
Dressed in a casual track jacket and black slacks, the 70-year-old former James Bond star was almost unrecognizable on the Yorkshire, England, film set. Sporting stark-white, closely cropped hair, Brosnan looked worlds apart from his usual suave demeanor. In another shot, he flashed a warm smile while wearing a beige jacket, further embodying the character of Ingle.
Earlier this month, industry outlets like Variety and Deadline confirmed that Brosnan had joined the project, with Sylvester Stallone attached as an executive producer. Brosnan will bring Brendan Ingle’s incredible story to life, starring alongside Amir El-Masry, who portrays Prince Naseem Hamed. The film is helmed by Rowan Athale, who also wrote the screenplay.
A Story of Grit and Glory
According to the official synopsis, Giant tells the inspirational true story of Prince Naseem Hamed’s rise from the working-class streets of Sheffield to becoming one of boxing’s most celebrated athletes. Discovered by Ingle, a former steelworker turned boxing trainer, Hamed’s flamboyant style, fearless attitude, and dominance in the ring catapulted him to global fame. Together, the unlikely duo overcame the prejudice and rampant Islamophobia that plagued Britain during the 1980s and 1990s, redefining what it meant to be a champion.
Brendan Ingle, originally from Dublin, Ireland, was a former professional boxer before dedicating his life to training future champions. He guided multiple boxers to world titles, with Prince Naseem being his most iconic protégé. Ingle passed away in May 2018 at the age of 77, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the sport.
As for Hamed, now 50, the former five-time featherweight world champion was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2015, cementing his place in boxing history.
Giant promises to explore not only the glitz and glamour of boxing’s elite but also the challenges, struggles, and triumphs behind one of the sport’s most unique partnerships. Fans can’t wait to see Brosnan’s transformation as he takes on this pivotal role.