Shola Amoo (“The Last Tree”) To Direct Muhammad Ali Film About His Refusal To Join the U.S. Army

Variety is reporting that Searchlight Pictures has hired Shola Amoo (“The Last Tree”) to direct a feature film about Muhammad Ali’s refusal to join the U.S. Army in 1967 during the Vietnam War. The film is based on Leigh Montville’s book “Sting Like a Bee: Muhammad Ali vs. The United States of America” which also explores the cultural and political implications of Ali’s refusal of service.

A 22-year-old Ali won the heavyweight world championship in 1964, shortly after changing his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali after joining the Nation of Islam that year.

Two years later he learned his local draft board had made him eligible to be drafted to which Ali responded: “I ain’t got no quarrel with those Viet Cong.”

A year later he was convicted of draft evasion and was sentenced to five years in prison, fined $10,000 and banned from boxing for three years. He remained out of prison while his case was appealed and his conviction was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1971. Ali ultimately retired from boxing in 1981.