When a former James Bond star offers you advice and support, you know you're in esteemed company. That's exactly what happened to actor Amir El-Masry on the set of 'Giant', the vibrant new boxing drama chronicling the meteoric rise of British featherweight world champion 'Prince' Naseem Hamed.
From Bond to Boxing: Brosnan's Supermarket Surprise
The film, which hits UK cinemas on January 9, 2026, marks the first time Hamed's story has been told on screen. El-Masry, known for playing a young Mohamed Al-Fayed in The Crown, underwent a gruelling transformation, training for five weeks, 12 hours a day, to portray the cocksure boxer. Disaster struck just before filming key fight scenes when he dislocated his finger.
'I was devastated,' El-Masry recalls. His co-star, Pierce Brosnan – who plays Naz's long-time trainer Brendan Ingle – immediately stepped in. Brosnan shared his own experience of a serious knee injury while filming a stunt for the 007 movie Die Another Day.
'He said, "Nothing else matters besides your health. Don't worry about these fights,"' El-Masry said. 'It put everything into perspective.'
Director Rowan Athale still marvels at getting Brosnan on board, a coup orchestrated by the actor's wife, Keely Shaye Smith. The call from the star came at an unlikely moment. 'I was in the Otley Morrisons in Yorkshire, and my phone starts ringing,' Athale said. 'And then there's Pierce at the other end…I thought I was being wound up at first!'
Brosnan even choreographed his own entrance, involving 'big dad dancing' to Sweet's glam rock classic 'Blockbuster'.
Stallone's Seal of Approval and Capturing Naz's Essence
The film boasts another cinematic heavyweight behind the scenes: Sylvester Stallone, who serves as an executive producer. For El-Masry, this is the 'ultimate certificate' for a boxing film. 'He's never put his kind of stamp of approval on any sports movie. For him to do that directly after Rocky and Creed is a massive compliment,' he said.
El-Masry believes Stallone recognised the powerful, universal arc in Hamed's story. 'People love to see the zero-to-hero arc…a sports movie is the best way to tell that story. It's motivational.'
To perfect Hamed's unique, taunting style and quick footwork, El-Masry worked with renowned movement coach Polly Bennett, who previously helped Rami Malek become Freddie Mercury. The actor studied footage meticulously, even replicating Hamed's famous 90s interview on TFI Friday with Chris Evans 'movement for movement'.
A Story of Dreams, Success, and Separation
'Giant' does not shy away from the complexities of Hamed's career, including his eventual, painful split from Ingle, the trainer who discovered him as a seven-year-old in Sheffield.
'They're a pair of dreamers from the backstreets that thought they could be something, and then very quickly became something,' director Athale explains. 'But then very quick success tore them apart.'
El-Masry sees a timeless tale in the rift. 'As soon as money comes into the equation, the devil is at work…There was a lot of temptation about going to America and changing a trainer. I think, sadly, that's very prevalent when you see success.'
Athale has personally shown the film to Hamed, who now lives in Dubai, and is seeking the boxer's final blessing. 'We were very respectful towards him,' the director noted.
For El-Masry, bringing this story to life is a personal triumph. 'Naseem Hamed, for me, was an idol growing up…To portray a young Muslim man in Great Britain who overcame so many trials to become world champion is inspiring in itself.'
And as for sharing the ring with Brosnan? 'It was really surreal at one point…I was like, "Oh my gosh, I'm fighting James Bond!"'
'Giant', a 110-minute film rated 15, is released in UK cinemas from January 9, 2026.
