‘Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist’ Cast and Creators Explain Why They Made a (Hit) Series About “Dreamers”

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As I delve deeper into the captivating narrative of Atlanta, through the lens of Donald Jackson’s life and experiences, I can’t help but marvel at the parallels between his journey and that of the city itself. Just like these characters, he too yearned for an opportunity to showcase his potential, to make a difference, and leave a lasting impact.

Towards the conclusion of the second installment of “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist”, one of New York City’s most formidable and ruthless gangsters, Frank Moten (played by Samuel L. Jackson), stands menacingly over a terrified small-time con artist from Atlanta, affectionately known as Chicken Man (portrayed by Kevin Hart). This encounter takes place after an iconic boxing match in the southern city of Atlanta in 1970.

In Atlanta, Moten and his associates brought Gordon “Chicken Man” Williams, along with Miami gangster Harvey (Celestino Cornielle), to an open field. There, Moten swiftly murdered Harvey after the latter made disrespectful remarks during an unauthorized boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Jerry Quarry. Unfortunately for Chicken Man, he had attempted to deceive Moten while watching the fight, a move that left him unable to fulfill his promise. This action led to his invitation to the field, but it proved to be a fatal mistake.

Nevertheless, the Chicken Man manages to live on after presenting a heartfelt explanation for his deceit and his intense desire to gain the New York mobster’s notice: His ambition is to aid Moten in expanding his criminal empire in Atlanta. He aspires to be Moten’s second-in-command and help transform Atlanta into a “Black Vegas.” Moten has a broader vision for the city, one that encompasses more than just gambling and crime. His vision involves economic development and the creation of generational wealth for its Black residents. Moten aims to establish a “Black Mecca,” constructing new homes and businesses. He tells Chicken Man, “And we will be kings!” Chicken Man’s aspirations inspire Moten to grant him mercy.

The ideas behind the two men are the primary forces propelling the eight-episode series of “Peacock’s Fight Night,” which is based on real events from a 2020 iHeart true-crime podcast that took place in Atlanta during 1970, leading up to one of the city’s most daring armed robberies ever. The show quickly gained popularity on Peacock, making it their most-watched original production.

Despite Chicken Man narrowly avoiding a life-threatening situation, the following events involve Hart’s character leading New York gangster and his associates to a secret house party. At this party, they find themselves being pointed at with shotguns, forced to undress to their undergarments in a chilly basement, and subsequently robbed of their cash and valuables by Moten. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jackson (who resided in Atlanta during the real-life events that inspired the series) expresses his belief that there isn’t a straightforward explanation for why Moten allowed Chicken Man to survive throughout their initial encounters.

Jackson clarified that Moten seemed to realize this man was being controlled or influenced in a suspicious manner, leading to quite a bit of turmoil. By the time they left, Chicken Man was missing and Moten was searching for him. When I accepted the job, I warned Kevin [Hart], ‘From now on, whenever you see me, imagine I’m about to harm you, so no humor will develop between us.’ This is how the story was crafted. Typically, we would have apprehended him and he would have met the same fate as the man from Miami at that point. But in this case, he managed to escape.

However, the essence of it lies in the fantasy aspect,” Jackson explained further. “The character of Chicken Man is crucial for our tale, and indeed, he was real – that’s indisputable. Facts are immutable; they remain unaltered. You can weave fantasies around various elements, but you cannot alter facts.

Following the robbery at the post-party house event, there was a hunt for suspects and someone to hold accountable. This included Moten, other gangsters who had been invited from across the country, as well as the Atlanta Police Department. Naturally, Chicken Man, who had organized the festivities, became the prime suspect. In an attempt to clear his name and find protection from those seeking retribution, Chicken Man eventually turned to J.D. Hudson, one of Atlanta’s first Black police detectives in a segregated south, played by Don Cheadle, for help.

After completing his duty of safeguarding Ali, Hudson is tasked with solving a house burglary case next. At first, he follows the lead on Chicken Man, a criminal he had previously imprisoned for minor offenses. However, as Hudson delves deeper into the investigation, his gut feeling suggests that this common crook might not have been behind the robbery.

In Hudson’s own terms, he stated, “If you’re someone I consider guilty, you need to be held accountable.” Cheadle explained this sentiment to THR , suggesting that the detective felt compelled to help Chicken Man for this reason. Hudson also noted, “If you’re an adversary and you’re innocent, I will fight for you.” Cheadle further added that despite his personal feelings towards Chicken Man, Hudson believed he was acting justly in the end. He stated, “I think fundamentally, he felt what he was doing was right for Chicken Man, regardless of his personal opinions.” Ultimately, Hudson saw himself as upholding his oath and being willing to risk everything to ensure justice was served.

Executive producer Will Packer, along with series showrunner Shaye Ogbonna, revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that the show is intended as a heartfelt tribute to Atlanta, a city that has earned recognition as a “Black Mecca” for African Americans in commerce and entertainment due to its thriving economy.

Nearly a decade ago, the concept was presented to me, and it captivated me immediately,” Packer explained (he was also involved in creating the original iHeart podcast). “It was a tale I hadn’t come across before, and upon hearing it, I wondered, ‘How is it possible that I haven’t heard this story?’ The narrative was filled with such dramatic cinematic aspects: Muhammad Ali, the world’s greatest athlete; an unauthorized boxing match; criminals from various corners gathering for this clandestine event; and then moving on to an illicit casino party that was subsequently raided by swindlers? I couldn’t help but think, this is sensational! It deserved to be brought to life.

Packer explained that the series initially transformed into a podcast format, enabling them to unfold the narrative in segments and thoroughly build each character. Next, they required an exceptional writer for arranging it as a limited series. That’s when Shaye Ogbonna came on board. Once the script was ready, they could attract the desired cast. Kevin Hart agreed first, followed by discussions with Samuel L. Jackson, Don Cheadle, Taraji P. Henson, and Terrence Howard. They also have a talented group of rising stars joining the cast, such as Chloe Bailey, Melvin Gregg, Myles Bullock, Sinqua Walls, and Jalyn Hall, who plays Baby Ray. These names may not be well-known yet, but I hope that in a few years, you’ll look back and appreciate their performances alongside Samuel Jackson’s and think about how they’ve grown.

Ogbonna viewed “Fight Night” as a harmonious blend of several genres while working diligently to transform the podcast into a streaming television show.

In his words, “Atlanta is not just a setting for our crime drama, it’s a character in itself. We’ve put a lot of effort into making sure everything feels genuine here. It takes a whole community to achieve this – from the hair and makeup for an authentic feel to the production design. Will, who resides in Atlanta, and I, being a native Atlantan, both stress the importance of accurately representing our city. If we don’t do it right, we risk being criticized for not being true to its essence.

In the movie “Fight Night,” one of the intricate subplots delves deeply into the racial discrimination Detective Hudson encountered within the Atlanta Police Department. Despite his unwavering efforts to ensure safety for all citizens since he joined the force in 1948, he still had to battle prejudice from his colleagues. In 1970, Hudson bravely tried to expose corrupt officers and was subjected to racial slurs and harassment by some of his fellow officers who should have supported him instead.

Cheadle stated that Hudson’s decision to stay with the force wasn’t due to quitting or stepping back being an option. Instead, he was driven by the desire to shape the world according to his vision. Hudson saw himself as a trailblazer, opening doors for others and bearing the burden of institutionalized racism in hopes of creating more diversity and justice. It was a challenging role that often left him misunderstood within his community, but Hudson felt strongly about the changes needed and believed he had the strength to carry it out.

Regardless of whether they’re Hudson, the Chicken Man, or the ruthless Moten, it becomes clear from Packer’s perspective that there is a shared trait among these three characters in Fight Night.

Packer stated that the series revolves around individuals who harbor dreams. This includes characters such as Chicken Man, Frank Moten, and Taraji P. Henson’s character, Vivian Thomas. Chicken Man is portrayed by Kevin Hart and is a small-town numbers runner, while Frank is a powerful gangster. Vivian was formerly an exotic dancer and serves as Chicken Man’s right hand. Each of these characters yearns for something greater in life. They believe that if given the chance, they could achieve so much more. Atlanta seems to hold the key to their success, representing a pathway towards fulfilling their dreams.

Upon relocating to Atlanta following my graduation from Florida A&M University, I arrived with a U-Haul truck and a vision. My ambition was to establish myself as a prominent filmmaker, and I sensed that Atlanta offered me the chance to make it happen. I identified with these characters as fellow dreamers; I believed that if given the right opportunity, I could demonstrate my potential. In many ways, I saw Atlanta as a symbol of this dream, a place where aspirations can still flourish today.

Back in 1969, I was more than just a student at the illustrious, male-only Morehouse College in Atlanta. That year, I found myself immortalized in some Black college legends’ tales due to an act that took place there. And then, in 1970, it was in this very city of Atlanta that the unforgettable events depicted in Fight Night unfolded, with me being a resident at the time.

When someone asked about the reason he was suspended from Morehouse for two years, Jackson chuckled and explained, ‘It was an attempt to transform the institution I attended. I felt that the money we were spending wasn’t providing the right education, or fostering the kind of community involvement we needed. I wanted us, as a racial group, to progress through a more relevant curriculum. So, a group of us peacefully occupied a building where the board of trustees met and negotiated our demands.’

Jackson believed that education was a crucial part of his personal vision and legacy for the college, as well as future generations. Indeed, things did transform. Following significant events depicted in ‘Fight Night’, he held similar aspirations and changes for the city of Atlanta. Within roughly four years, these hopes began to materialize.

As I stepped into the gaming world back in 1974, things began to shift, just like when Maynard Jackson took office as Atlanta’s mayor. He recognized that our city’s airport was a crucial key to expansion, and he wasn’t wrong. It transformed into a bustling hub for Delta and a thriving ground for Black businesses. When they built the airport, I believe Mayor Jackson mandated the use of numerous Black construction companies. He also ensured a specific number of Black-owned businesses would be present within the airport, providing food and services. This move not only attracted more people to Atlanta but also kept them here. Many came down to attend schools, and little by little, Atlanta evolved into something extraordinary.

As time passed and they established both a football team and a basketball team, the city transformed into something entirely new. This transformation led to the emergence of music, which attracted even more individuals to the city. The rhythm of the city was swift, dynamic, and expanding! It was obvious to anyone with foresight or awareness that Atlanta would develop into what it eventually did. It used to be said that when you’re in Atlanta, you’re in Atlanta, but once you leave Atlanta, you’re in Georgia. However, as the city evolved, this saying changed.

Jackson remarked, ‘You need to adapt to living this way, as your urban habits won’t suffice here (he chuckled). However, Atlanta expanded significantly when so many people moved in. Now, it’s thriving! Wherever you look, there are construction cranes. Around my hotel alone, I counted 19 of them.’

Effectively, the city transformed into what Frank had envisioned, as depicted in the series Fight Night. Jackson remarked, “Frank had the foresight to want that land near the airport, and he was correct about its value. It wasn’t just gold; it was platinum. He recognized this because his grandmother told him they had a heritage tied to that land: ‘That red soil, our blood is in that earth, so we have a claim on it.’ And she was indeed right.

Fight Night releases new episodes Thursdays on Peacock.

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2024-09-13 17:56