Film
- Acclaimed Flop: Got solid reviews (and an Oscar nom for Will Smith) but did not do well in theaters. Notable for being one of the very few bombs Will Smith has had in his career.
- Creator-Chosen Casting: Will Smith actually turned the film down initially. He relented after Muhammad Ali called Smith and asked him to take the role, because he was the only one as good looking as him that could play the role.
- Creator Couple: Jada Pinkett Smith plays Sonji Roi.
- Doing It for the Art: Will Smith and Michael Mann both offered to put up their salaries in case the film went over-budget.
- Dyeing for Your Art: Will Smith gained 35 pounds to portray the titular Ali. At a cut 225 pounds, he ironically had to get bigger than the real Ali to portray him.
- Harsher in Hindsight: Or Hilarious in Hindsight for some, when Ali slapped Ernie Terrell for calling him “Clay”. This wouldn’t be the last time Will Smith slapped someone for showing disrespect towards him.
- Missing Trailer Scene: The trailer contains a scene where Ali tells a young boy he'll hit his hand six times before the boy can count three. The boy quickly counts one-two-three, and Ali (without having moved a muscle) then says "Did I hurt ya?" to the boisterous laughter of onlookers. This scene is not present in the film.
- What Could Have Been: Spike Lee was considered to direct, and even took a meeting with Will Smith. He knew he wouldn't get the job when Smith told him he was going to need Lee to "broaden his horizons" with this movie. Barry Sonnenfeld was briefly attached.
