Sony enters ring for Mike Tyson documentary

CANNES (Hollywood Reporter) - In what would be one of the most high-profile deals at the Cannes Film Festival, Sony Pictures Classics is in final negotiations to buy domestic rights to the boxing documentary "Tyson."

James Toback's passion project takes a mostly sympathetic look at the troubled life of former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, interspersing archival footage with a series of interviews conducted by the filmmaker.

Toback put up funds for the film, and brought Tyson to Cannes to help promote the project. He said he was determined to leave Cannes with a deal, in order to showcase the film on the early fall festival circuit before a release timed around the November elections.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter