Reel Classics Uncut, ESPN's series that takes viewers behind the scenes during the making of sports movies, will present an hour-long special on the upcoming film "Ali" starring Will Smith in the title role. Reel Classics Uncut: "Ali" will air on ESPN Classic Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. ESPN was granted unlimited access during filming on location, including in Mozambique, Africa, and will feature interviews with all the major characters. The Columbia Pictures film will open nationwide on December 25.

	Will Smith takes on the role of Muhammad Ali in Michael Mann's new film, "Ali," which opens Christmas Day.

Produced by Michael Mann, who was nominated for an Academy Award for "The Insider," "Ali" follows the former three-time heavyweight champion from his taking of Sonny Liston's crown in 1964 to when he regained the crown in 1974 from George Foreman. In addition to Smith, other actors interviewed include Ron Silver (Angelo Dundee), Jamie Foxx (Drew "Bundini" Brown), Jon Voight (Howard Cosell), Paul Rodriguez (Ferdie Pacheco) and Mario Van Peebles (Malcolm X).

On the show, Smith -- who shot the film's fight scenes with real boxers in genuine competition -- said, "The first step was understanding the psyche of a fighter -- what it means to stand across the ring from a man who wants to bash your head in."

Smith also discusses his conversations with Ali, saying, "He and his wife didn't want this film to make him come across as the patron saint of the whole colonized world. They wanted the real sides of Muhammad Ali to come across."

Mann added, "The proposition was, 'Can I bring the film into Ali's shoes and take you there?' It's very intimate and very internalized -- how it felt to be Muhammad Ali at a certain moment in time."

Of Smith's performance, Mann said, "Will Smith is no longer playing Ali. Will Smith is Ali. Ali is Will Smith."