Director Spike Lee is teaming with ‘Entourage’ creator Doug Ellin to produce a drama series for HBO that will be based on former boxing champion Mike Tyson’s childhood, Deadline is reporting. The series, which will be helmed by Lee and will be called ‘Da Brick,’ is described as a contemporary exploration of the life of a young black man in post-racial America.

‘Da Brick,’ which is still in development, is set in current-day Newark, New Jersey, which is nicknamed “brick city.” A casting director has been hired to choose actors for the lead roles.

The series was first developed when Tyson guest starred as himself on an episode of HBO’s veteran hit comedy. He was in a meeting with Ellin when he said “Why don’t we do with my life what we did with Mark (Wahlberg’s early) life (in Hollywood on ‘Entourage’)?” Ellin described the initial idea for ‘Da Brick’ as a mix between ‘Entourage’ and ‘The Wire.’

Ellin felt like ‘Da Brick’ wasn’t a series he could write, but he decided to develop and produce it with his producing partner Jim Lefkowitz. Writer John Ridley, who was brought to the project by Lefkowitz, suggested Lee to direct the series. Ellin, Lefkowitz, Ridley, Lee and Tyson will all executive produce ‘Da Brick.’

Written by: Karen Benardello

Mike Tyson as a Child