Olivia Cavallaro Culture 08.26.2022 04:Aug AM EDT

Russell Hornsby Denounces Mike Tyson's Criticism of Hulu Biopic: 'We Did Not Try to Demonize Him'

Mike Tyson claims Hulu did not seek his permission in making the biopic series "Mike."

There's some sort of controversy surrounding Hulu's "Mike," an eight-part limited series that centers on the life of former boxer Mike Tyson. The 56 year old former undisputed world heavyweight champion took to social media earlier this month to denounce the Hulu biopic, claiming that the streaming network "stole" his life story and "didn't pay" him for it. "Mike" star Russell Hornsby now spoke out about Tyson's allegations.

In Hulu's "Mike," Hornsby plays boxing promoter Don King. He recently spoke to Page Six about Tyson's criticism of the Hulu biopic, defending the series and saying that they "try to honor Mike Tyson and show some truths" about the boxer's life.

Actor Defends Hulu Series About Mike Tyson's Life

In talking about Hulu's "Mike," which was released on August 25, Hornsby remarked that Tyson is "not the first one to have a grievance" about the biopic's portrayal of the former heavyweight champion. He described the series as a "no-holds-barred look" at the former boxer's life, adding that the production neither glorified or demonized Tyson.

Tyson's comments earlier this month was the second time he commented on Hulu's "Mike," as the first time was when the project was announced during last year's Black History Month. Back then, the former boxer accused Hulu of "corporate greed" and described the biopic as "tone-deaf cultural misappropriation."

Hornsby expressed understanding for Tyson's ill feelings towards Hulu's "Mike," admitting that the former boxer had been through a lot throughout his career that began in the 1980's.

'Mike' Actor Describes Series' 'Real Truth' About Boxing Champion

This is not the first time Hornsby played a boxing promoter, as the actor played a similar role ofBuddy Marcelle in 2018's "Creed II." In talking to POPSUGAR, the 48 year old actor applauded Hulu's "Mike" for "[getting] into the grime and grit" of Tyson's story and showing the "real truth" about the characters in his story.

Because Hulu's "Mike" is now available to stream, media outlets have spoken out on its good and bad qualities. Take The Hollywood Reporter, who set out to remind people that Tyson was not only a former boxer but is also a "convicted rapist." In their review, the show failed to offer anything new that had not been done before.

The media outlet referred to the Hulu series as a "Wikipedia entry punctuated by superficial sociological retrospection." The Los Angeles Times pointed out that the supporting characters in Hulu's "Mike" were not given enough time to make an impact and their relationships to Tyson in the story were merely shown but never explored.

Hulu's "Mike" was helmed by Steven Rogers and Craig Gillespie, who both worked as writer and director respectively for "I, Tonya," a 2017 film that earned several awards and nominations. This is why the bar was set high for Hulu's "Mike," which quite did not make the cut. IndieWire said it borrowed too heavily from the 2012 Broadway show by Tyson called "Undisputed Truth" and other previously released documentaries about the boxing legend and simply did offer anything new on the table.