Mike Tyson's early life is the inspiration for a new HBO pilot titled "Da Brick," written by John Ridley, and produced by Spike Lee and Doug Ellin, according to Variety.

"Da Brick" will be produced through Ellin's overall deal with HBO. As "Entourage" winds down its eight-season run on HBO this year, Ellin has been looking to branch out as a producer. "Da Brick" marks the first project from Ellin's Fly the Coop Entertainment banner that he did not write.

The connection with Tyson came about after the boxer did a guest shot last season on "Entourage."

"He said to me, 'Why don't you do with my life what you did with Mark (Wahlberg's) life" with "Entourage," Ellin told Variety.

... HBO has a casting director searching for a thesp with some boxing chops.

While the series sounds promising in some ways, I have to lower my expectations due to the association with the dreadful "Entourage." Spike Lee will direct the pilot, and with this much star power it's all but a guarantee that the series will be given a serious shot.

Who's looking forward to it? Who's unsure? Who doesn't care?