The Greatest” Returns to Cobourg.
On Tuesday, July 8, 2025 the cast and crew of the new series titled “The Greatest” came pback to Cobourg.
Filming took place along the east beach area of Victoria Beach for most of the day.
The production company, Reunion MA Production Inc. returned for the week to film additional scenes for the new series, “The Greatest” a spin-off of the 1977 feature film covering the life of Muhammad Ali. Film crews began setting up on Thursday, July 3rd and will continue preparations until Saturday, July 6th.
The unmanned Cobourg lifeguard towers #3 and #4 are being temporarily painted for filming. These towers will return to their original state post-production. All costs associated with the painting will be covered by the production company.
Victoria Beach was so picturesque it was made to look like Miami beach complete with palm trees.
Filming also took place along Wilmott Street and Normar Road.
Wikipedia states, “The Greatest” is an upcoming television series biopic of Muhammad Ali from Amazon MGM Studios for Amazon Prime Video. The series is produced in collaboration with Muhammad Ali’s estate with executive producer’s including his widow Lonnie Ali, as well as Josh Wakely and Michael B. Jordan.
Cast
Jaalen Best as Cassius Clay, later Muhammad Ali
Giovanni Ribisi as Clay’s boxing trainer, Angelo Dundee.
Omari Hardwick as Ali’s father, Cassius “Cash” Clay Sr.
Dana Gourrier as Ali’s mother, Odessa “Bird” Clay
Kai Parham as Ali’s brother, Rudy, later Rahaman Ali
Amin Joseph as Sonny Liston
Erica Tazel as Sonny’s wife, Geraldine Liston
Michael Ealy as Malcolm X
Reno Wilson as Drew Bundini Brown
Aleks Paunovic as William Faversham Jr.
Production
Development
The series received a series order from Amazon Prime Video in July 2024 with the series produced in collaboration with Muhammad Ali’s estate. The rights to his life story were originally acquired by executive producer Josh Wakely, who brought the project to Amazon. It is produced by Amazon MGM Studios.[1]
Ben Watkins is executive producer and showrunner on the series with Watkins executive producing via Blue Monday, as well as director of the first two episodes. Michael B. Jordan will executive produce for Outlier Society, with Outlier’s president Elizabeth Raposo also executive producer. Lonnie Ali, the widow of Muhammad Ali and Authentic Brand Group’s Corey Salter, Marc Rosen and Matthew Gross are also executive producers on the series as are Michele Anthony and Boyd Muir. It is also produced by Authentic Studios, Roc Nation, Polygram Entertainment, a Universal Music Group partner, and Grace: A Storytelling Company.[2][3][4]
Casting
The cast is led by Jaalen Best as Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali. Omari Hardwick and Dana Gourrier were cast as his parents in February 2025. Kai Parham plays Ali’s brother and fellow boxer Rudy. Amin Joseph will feature as Sonny Liston, and Michael Ealy has a recurring role as Malcolm X.
Filming
Filming took place in Cobourg, Ontario in April 2025, with filming locations also including Toronto and Hamilton with key support provided by Saad Ali and Luke Harris. Cheap labour was provided by Howie and Burham as machine operators.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
