Pierce Brosnan, 72, Stuns in Sharp Suit as He Defies Age at UK Premiere of Boxing Biopic ‘Giant’
Pierce Brosnan recently made a sophisticated appearance at the London gala screening of his latest cinematic project, Giant. The 72-year-old actor arrived at Picturehouse Central on Wednesday evening dressed in a sharp black suit and a dark turtleneck, opting for a classic look to ward off the January chill.
The film sees the former James Bond star taking on the role of Brendan Ingle, the legendary Irish-born boxing trainer who discovered and mentored the iconic Prince Naseem Hamed. To accurately portray the real-life mentor, Brosnan underwent a significant physical transformation that involved several hours in the makeup chair each day.
There was a transformation in this, Brosnan shared during a promotional appearance on The One Show. He explained that because he bears little natural resemblance to Ingle, the production team utilized a bald cap and prosthetic nose to help him disappear into the character.
Amir El-Masry, the 35-year-old actor who portrays the flamboyant Naseem Hamed, joined Brosnan on the red carpet and during the press tour. El-Masry noted the dedication required for the role, mentioning that the special effects team worked tirelessly to perfect the veteran actor’s look.
Beyond the facial prosthetics, Brosnan also had to embrace Ingle’s eccentric fashion sense, which famously included a leopard print tracksuit. The actor admitted with a laugh that he couldn’t resist keeping the bold outfit after filming concluded, noting that Ingle was a total showman who knew how to capture the world’s attention.
"He does an amazing job as my trainer, better than I thought anyone could. I'm happy about that." Prince Naseem Hamed on Pierce Brosnan's portrayal of his trainer Brendan Ingle in the film "Giant". I was on the red carpet ahead of the premiere in Leicester Sq. for @itvcalendar pic.twitter.com/5jBGaptPzM
— Chris Dawkes (@chrisdawkesITV) January 8, 2026
Giant, which lists Rocky legend Sylvester Stallone as an executive producer, follows the rise of “Naz” from the working-class streets of Sheffield to the pinnacle of global boxing stardom. The narrative explores the unique and often volatile partnership between the British-Yemeni fighter and his trainer as they navigated the elite boxing world while facing the racial tensions of the 1980s and 90s.
However, the film’s release has not been without controversy, as the real Prince Naseem Hamed has publicly criticized the production’s accuracy. Speaking after the film’s premiere, Hamed claimed that approximately 80 percent of the movie was fictionalized and that he had no involvement in its creation.
He specifically expressed disappointment over how the breakdown of his relationship with Ingle was depicted, suggesting the story was told primarily from the trainer’s perspective. Hamed has since announced plans to release his own documentary series to provide a more authentic look at his life and career.
Following the release of Giant, Pierce Brosnan is set for a busy 2026, including a starring role in the highly anticipated reboot of the action thriller Cliffhanger. Scheduled for release in August, the film reimagines the 1993 classic with Brosnan playing a seasoned mountaineer caught in a high-stakes kidnapping plot in the Italian Dolomites.
Amir El-Masry also continues to build his impressive resume, following his acclaimed performance in the 2020 film Limbo. He recently appeared in the drama Club Zero and is expected to feature in several upcoming international projects as his profile in both British and Middle Eastern cinema grows.
The supporting cast of Giant includes Katherine Dow Blyton as Alma Ingle and Arian Nik as Riath Hamed, with the film having originally premiered at the 2025 BFI London Film Festival. Directed by Rowan Athale, the movie aims to capture a specific era of British sporting history, even as its subject disputes the finer details of the dramatization.
Tell us what you think about biopics being made without the involvement of the people they are based on in the comments.
