‘Da Brick’ = ‘Entourage’ + Spike Lee + Mike Tyson

HBO has placed a pilot order for “Da Brick,” loosely based on Mike Tyson’s early life. It will be produced by “Entourage” creator Doug Ellin, and Spike Lee will direct the pilot. More from Deadline:

Set in current-day Newark, NJ, nicknamed “brick city,” Da Brick is described as a contemporary exploration of what it means to be a young, black man in supposedly post-racial America and is loosely inspired by aspects of Tyson’s youth. Search is under way for an young black actor to play the lead.

*picks up telephone* “Hello, Michael K. Williams? Learn how to box IMMEDIATELY.”

While I can’t stand Ellin’s smug douchiness regarding “Entourage’ (Exhibit A, Exhibit B), I am intrigued by HBO — the last real home for boxing on television — making a dramatic series about a young black boxer (I couldn’t get into “Lights Out” because I’m tired of stories about white boxing champions), and Tyson’s life is certainly rich with good stories. “Da Brick” just needs to keep its focus on Tyson’s early life. Nothing after 1990 is really believable.

(UPDATE: A couple people have pointed out that Michael K. Williams is 45. Whatever, a boy can dream.)