The Will Smith-starring Muhammad Ali biopic Ali is returning to theaters this weekend.
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali passed away Friday night at the age of 74 after being hospitalized with a respiratory issue in Arizona. He died from septic shock.
To honor the late legend's memory Sony has decided to re-release Ali, the 2001 Will Smith-starring biopic about the three time world heavyweight champion.
Sony's President of Worldwide Distribution, Rory Bruer, said in a press release that many asked for the film to be re-released in celebration of Ali's life. "The film truly honors everything that made Ali one of the central figures of our time, a man who commanded his sport but whose personal faith and principles made him mean so much more," Bruer said. "Muhammad Ali truly was The Greatest, and this tribute is a great way to honor him."
Ali earned Smith his first nomination for Best Actor at the 2002 Academy Awards. The actor mourned the fallen Ali in a Facebook post Saturday calling him his "mentor" and his "friend." Smith added, "You shook up the World! My Mentor & My Friend. You changed my Life. Rest in Peace."
Barack Obama, Michael Jordan, Stephen Colbert and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, are just some of the figures who have also paid tribute to Ali.
Ali will return to a limited number of theaters beginning June 10, the same day as Ali's funeral. The funeral service and procession will be held in Ali's hometown of Louisville, Ky. Both will be open to the public.
