Pierce Brosnan looked worlds away from his 007 days as he was spotted heading to set in Leeds on Tuesday to film Prince Naseem Hamed biopic, Giant.
The actor, 70, ditched his usual dapper attire as he dramatically transformed into Prince Naseem’s boxing trainer Brendan Ingle.
Pierce’s usual impressive quiff of silver hair was hidden under a wig of white hair which was receding at the crown and combed over.
The Hollywood star’s signature slick suits were long gone as he stepped out in a navy tracksuit, a blue polo shirt and a pair of round spectacles.
Pierce seemed in good spirits as he left his trailer and walked with security to the boxing club to film.
Pierce Brosnan looked worlds away from his 007 days as he was spotted heading to set in Leeds on Tuesday to film Prince Naseem Hamed biopic Giant – he plays his trainer Brendan Ingle
The actor, 70, ditched his usual dapper attire for his new role (pictured in 2023)
The Mamma Mia! star got into the fighting spirit as he curled his fists up to the camera before filming scenes.
Joining Pierce on set was leading star Amir El-Masry, 33, who was dressed in a grey hoodie and jeans transforming into Prince Naseem.
Amir is a British-Egyptian actor who won Best Young Actor at the Egyptian Oscars in 2009 and is known for his roles in Jon Stewart’s directorial debut, Rosewater, the multi award-winning series The Night Manager and the BAFTA-nominated The State.
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 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.
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.
Pierce dramatically transformed into Prince Naseem’s boxing trainer Brendan Ingle (pictured right in 2011)
Pierce seemed in good spirits as he left his trailer and walked with security to the boxing club
The Mamma Mia! star got into the fighting spirit as he curled his fists up to the camera before filming scenes
Pierce’s usual impressive quiff of silver hair was hidden under a wig of white hair which was receding at the crown and was combed over
The Hollywood star’s signature slick suits were long gone as he stepped out in a navy tracksuit, a blue polo shirt and a pair of round spectacles
The legendary actor looked serious as he walked in the streets in Leeds
‘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.
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.
Pierce pointed at cameras as he headed to set with security
Giant will see the boxer become a world champion under the management of the Irish-born boxing trainer
Joining Pierce on set was leading star Amir El-Masry, 33, (left) who was dressed in a grey hoodie and jeans transforming into Prince Naseem (right in 1995)
Prince Naseem Hamed celebrates after his fight against Kevin Kelley at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1997
