Pierce Brosnan met with the family of Irish boxing trainer Brendan Ingle on set in Leeds on Thursday as he filmed the Prince Naseem biopic. Giant.
The James Bond actor, 70, was seen donning a trendy blue Adidas tracksuit jacket and blue polo top as he transformed into Brendan for filming.
Pierce got the blessing of Brendan’s family to play the role as he was seen talking to the late trainer’s sons Dominic and John Ingle as well as his grandson and John’s son Luca.
The men all gathered on set on Thursday evening as they watched how the film is being put together.
Pierce stars in the film alongside Amir El-Masry – who stars as a young Prince Naseen – as the pair tell the story of the boxer’s life and road to stardom in the sporting world.
Pierce Brosnan met with the family of boxing trainer Brendan Ingle on set in Leeds on Thursday as he transforms into the boxing trainer for filming of biopic Giant
The James Bond actor, 70, was seen donning a trendy blue Adidas tracksuit jacket and blue polo top as he transformed into Brendan for filming (right: Brendan Ingle)
The family had chance to stay on set and have some input into their late fathers movie biopic as Pierce was seen chatting away with the group.
It is believed that Pierce also spent some time with Dominic previously before filming started for research purposes.
Pierce kept it casual as he paired his sporty attire with some matching navy tracksuit bottoms and white trainers.
He completed the outfit with some stylish clear framed sunglasses and a black hat as he strolled around the set.
Grown up Prince Naseem will be played by Amir El-Masry, 33, who was seen on set for the first time on Tuesday.
The film is being executive produced by Rocky star Sylvester Stallone and written and directed by Rowan Athale.
Giant will tell the compelling true-life story of the British-Yemeni boxer and his rags to riches ascent in the tough working-class streets of Sheffield and his discovery by Brendan, himself a steel industry worker turned boxing trainer.
The film will see the boxer become a world champion under the management of the Irish-born boxing trainer.
Pierce was joined by Brendan’s sons Dominic (L) and John Ingle (R) as well as his grandson and John’s son Luca (middle L)
Pierce kept it casual as he paired his sporty attire with some matching navy tracksuit bottoms and white trainers
He completed the outfit with some stylish clear framed sunglasses and a black hat
The family had chance to stay on set and have some input into their late fathers movie biopic as Pierce was seen chatting away with the group
It is believed that Pierce also spent some time with Dominic previously before filming started for research purposes
Brendan and Prince Naseem’s unlikely partnership along with Naz’s unorthodox style, cocky persona and sheer dominance in the ring, propelled them to the top of boxing’s elite and unprecedented levels of stardom, all in the face of racism in the 80’s and 90’s in Britain.
AGC Studios Chairman and CEO Stuart Ford said in a statement: ‘Since commissioning Rowan to write the brilliant screenplay for ‘Giant’ several years ago, we’ve been passionate about bringing this extraordinary story to the big screen.
‘Amir and Pierce will make a powerful lead duo and it’s exciting that Zygi and his team at True Brit, with their outstanding career track record in launching the best of British film to audiences, believe as fervently as we do in ‘Giant’s cinematic potential.’
The movie was originally due to be filmed in Malta, but has now begun shooting in Leeds and Yorkshire after UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced the nation’s new Independent Film Tax Credit, in which studios will receive a 40 per cent tax relief for making movies in the country.
Boxing trainer Brendan died at the age of 77 in 2018.
The Irishman set up the famous Wincobank gym in Sheffield, guiding the likes of ‘Prince’ Naseem, Johnny Nelson and Junior Witter to world championships.
Pierce stars in the film alongside a young Prince Naseen, played by Amir El-Masry, as the pair tell the story of the boxer’s life and road to stardom in the sporting world, guided by Brendan
Grown up Prince Naseem will be played by Amir El-Masry, 33, who kept a low profile in a long padded black coat
Giant will tell the compelling true-life story of the British-Yemeni boxer and his rags to riches ascent in the tough working-class streets of Sheffield and his discovery by Brendan, himself a steel industry worker turned boxing trainer
The film will see the boxer become a world champion under the management of the Irish-born boxing trainer
The movie was originally due to be filmed in Malta, but has now begun shooting in Leeds and Yorkshire after UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced the nation’s new Independent Film Tax Credit
Studios will now receive a 40 per cent tax relief for making movies in the country
The family beamed in snaps as they enjoyed their evening on set
Pierce looked to be getting on great with the family
As a boxer he competed 34 times with a record of 19-14, but later made his name as a trainer and manager and was renowned for his famous footwork drills in the Sheffield gym.
He mentored Naseem from the age of seven and the two captured multiple featherweight world championships, while Johnny became a WBO cruiserweight title holder and Witter a former WBC light-welterweight champion.
In 1998, Ingle was awarded an MBE for his service to working with young people in the Sheffield area and British boxing.
He also has an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University, where he has previously lectured.
Prince Naseem Hamed pictured celebrating after his fight against Kevin Kelley at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1997