Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has been confirmed as joining the cast of “Ip Man 3.” The film is the final instalment of a biopic of martial arts ace and one time mentor of Bruce Lee, Ip Man.
After the previous episodes focused on Ip’s early life, “Ip Man 3” focuses on the master-student relationship between Ip (aka Yip) and Bruce Lee. Martial arts ace, Donnie Yen reprises his role as Ip in the film to be directed by Wilson Yip.
Tyson is set to have a significant role in Ip Man 3, playing a property developer and street fighter. He is expected going to have several intense fight scenes with Yen.
The film which has a budget of $36 million is produced by Hong Kong-based Pegasus Motion Pictures. It is executive-produced by Shi Jianxiang, founder and CEO of Shanghai Kuailu Investment Group.
Ip Man 3 is tentatively scheduled for release in 3D in the first quarter of 2016. Pegasus, which is also handling international sales, will open the film for business this week in Cannes.
An offer to Tyson to appear in the film was made earlier this year at the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles. Confirmation of his casting was announced this week at an event in Shanghai.
Tyson has had previous acting roles in films including “The Hangover II,” “Scary Movie 5,” and the upcoming “Meet The Blacks.”