The Great White Hype (1996)

The boxing champ's promoter thinks, change is needed. He finds the one man, who's beaten his black champ (at 17), a white man now in a rock band. Like Rocky, he trains heavily whereas the champ slacks.

Director:

Reginald Hudlin

Writers:

Tony Hendra (screenplay), Ron Shelton (screenplay)

Stars:

Samuel L. Jackson, Jeff Goldblum, Damon Wayans

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Rev. Fred Sultan
Jeff Goldblum	...	Mitchell Kane
Peter Berg	...	Terry Conklin
Corbin Bernsen	...	Peter Prince
Jon Lovitz	...	Sol
Cheech Marin	...	Julio Escobar
John Rhys-Davies	...	Johnny Windsor
Salli Richardson-Whitfield	...	Bambi (as Salli Richardson)
Jamie Foxx	...	Hassan El Ruk'n
Rocky Carroll	...	Artemus St. John Saint
Albert Hall	...	Roper's Manager
Susan Gibney	...	Vivian
Michael Jace	...	Marvin Shabazz
Duane Davis	...	Palace Guard #1
Lamont Johnson	...	Palace Guard #2

Storyline

When the champ's promoter, Reverend Sultan, decides something new is needed to boost the marketability of the boxing matches, he searches and finds the only man to ever beat the champ. The problem is that he isn't a boxer anymore and he's white. However, once Reverend Sultan convinces him to fight, he goes into heavy training, while the confident champ takes it easy, and falls out of shape.

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Plot Keywords:

guitar | fellatio | boxing match | african american | punched in the face | 

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Taglines:

If you can't find the perfect contender....make one.

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Genres:

Comedy | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and brief sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

Many members of the cast made either guest appearances, or had recurring roles on the FOX television series Roc (1991), which featured Rocky Carroll as a regular cast member. This includes: Samuel L. Jackson, Corbin Bernsen, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Jamie Foxx, Albert Hall, Lamont Johnson, Art Evans, and Rick Scarry.

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Goofs

Since the beginning of the film Roper is clearly not in the physical shape an experienced professional heavyweight boxer has to be in.

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Quotes

James Roper: I'll beat him with my blackness.

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Crazy Credits

While walking back to dressing room after fight, Conklin is followed by two little people from his entourage.

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Connections

Referenced in Mike & Mike: Episode dated 12 May 2015 (2015)

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Soundtracks

Who's The Champion
Performed by Ghostface Killah featuring RZA
Written by RZA (as Robert Diggs Jr.) and Ghostface Killah (as Dennis Coles)
Produced by RZA
Ghostface Killah appears courtesy of Razor Sharp Records
RZA appears courtesy of Loud Records

User Reviews

Black celebrities in boxing.

There were many known faces in this movie. Range from Samuel l. Jackson to Jamie Foxx all participated in the in and outskirts of boxing. There were some stereotypes that black boxers can beat white boxers,and there never was a white heavyweight champion. This movie didn't get much recognition but if anyone who seen this movie can't deny that it wasn't funny,and each actor had a humorous part. This movie should have been a made for TV flick instead of releasing it in the theaters, because families could sit in the living room after dinner and get a good nights laugh.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 May 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Great White Hype

Filming Locations:

Hoover Dam, Arizona-Nevada Border, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,349,481, 5 May 1996

Gross USA:

$8,008,255

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,008,255

Company Credits

Production Co:

Atman Entertainment, Fred Berner Films, Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1