Boxing legend Mike Tyson is a secret historical past buff and is being lined up for a knockout film as a German warrior.
The former world heavyweight champ is hooked on European rulers – and high director Werner Herzog has revealed he met him to star in a brand new flick.
He stated: “I want to make a film with Mike Tyson about the early Frankish kings. He and I were introduced when a Hollywood producer wanted to make a documentary about him.
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“Production representatives were present with no fewer than five lawyers. Understandably, Tyson felt ill at ease, and I got him to go out on the balcony.
“When we spoke alone, as man to man, we straightaway hit it off. He is conversant with the Roman Republic and the early Frankish dynasty of the Merovingians — Clovis, Childeric, Childebert, Fredegund — and the Carolingian Pepin the Short.”
German-born film-maker Herzog, 81, can also be well-known for performing roles as a villain within the 2012 Tom Cruise movie Jack Reacher, in addition to Star Wars spin-off sequence The Mandalorian.
(Image: Frank Masi)
In his new memoir Every Man For Himself And God Against All, he revealed that he and Tyson, 57, bonded once they met concerning the undertaking.
He stated: “Instead of speaking concerning the movie, we talked about his childhood. He grew up in a single small room along with his mom. He was usually current when there have been gents callers, and stole cash from their empty trousers. By the age of 12 he had been arrested some 40 instances.
“When he reached the age of obligation, he discovered to field in juvenile detention and have become the youngest heavyweight champion of the world there has ever been. Later, after being sentenced to 6 years in jail on a rape cost he vehemently denies, he started to learn voraciously.
(Image: Getty Images)
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“After the end of his fighting career, Tyson had quickly squandered 300 million dollars and was sitting on a huge pile of debt – hence, I suppose, his financial demands of the production company were so exorbitant that nothing could come of the film.
“As a boxer, he was terrifying, and after he had bitten off Evander Holyfield’s ear, he was called the ‘baddest guy on the planet.’ In fact, though, Tyson is shy and boyish. He is soft-spoken and has a lisp.”
Herzog stated he invited Tyson to an occasion on the New York Public Library the place he wowed punters along with his historical past data.
(Image: PA)
He added: “It was an unforgettable evening, with 650 intellectuals, academics, authors, and philosophers in attendance. It was opened by asking the audience whether any of them had ever heard of Pepin the Short.
“No one had a clue even though Pepin was the first Carolingian, a son of Charles Martel, and the father of Charlemagne. Mike Tyson then spoke about him and the beginnings of modern Europe.”