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A comprehensive docu-series on Magic Johnson‘s remarkable life and Los Angeles Lakers career has been acquired by Apple.
The streaming service landed the documentary, it was announced on Thursday by multiple outlets. Johnson — who is participating in the project — shared the news on Twitter. The doc had been shopping around for months.
I’m so excited to announce that my upcoming docuseries will be released globally on Apple TV+! https://t.co/6ApnebGlzu
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 4, 2021
The series will chronicle Magic's childhood in Lansing, Michigan, through his superstar decade with the Lakers, his HIV diagnosis, and his post-basketball life as a business mogul and HIV/AIDs activist.
Nov. 7 will mark the 30th anniversary of Johnson's HIV announcement.
The docuseries will be directed by Rick Famuyiwa (“Dope”) and produced by New Slate Ventures and XTR Production. Academy Award winner Rachel Morrison (“Black Panther”) will serve as cinematographer.
Magic's series is one of the numerous Lakers-adjacent Hollywood projects known to be in the works:
- HBO is in production on a (recently-untitled) scripted drama series on the Showtime Lakers.
- Lakers governor Jeanie Buss is teaming up with Mindy Kaling for a Lakers-inspired Netflix office comedy series (Buss is also producing a Jason Momoa-led Western movie).
- Hulu has announced a docuseries on the Buss family's four-plus decades running the Lakers.
- A documentary on the end of Pau Gasol's basketball journey will air on Amazon this month
Russell Westbrook self-produced a documentary, “Passion Play” about his life that recently aired on “Showtime.” Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, and, of course, LeBron James (via SpringHill) are increasingly active in the production space.
Magic was drafted No. 1 overall in 1979 and starred for the Lakers for 13 seasons. He won five championships, three MVPs, three Finals MVPs, and a gold medal with the 1992 Olympic Team as part of the “Dream Team.” Johnson has also served (briefly) as the Lakers’ head coach, president of basketball operations, and minority owner.
His rivalrly-turned-friendship with Larry Bird was documented in a 2017 30 for 30: “Celtics/Lakers: Best of Enemies” and a 2021 Broadway production, “Magic/Bird.”
