8.5x11” 4-page signed and notarized contract with Republic film studio logo at top of first page with large red “CONFIDENTIAL” ink stamp at left. This contract was initialed by Muhammad Ali on each of the first three pages and fully signed by him on the last in blue ink. It was this contract that paved the way for an Ali biopic to be filmed, resulting in the 2001 film “Ali,” which starred Will Smith in the titular role. Contract is dated Apr. 23, 1990, showing the long and involved process necessary to produce such a film. Drawn up between Ali, his personal lawyer Richard Hirschfeld (who, after stints and prison and life as a fugitive, was sentenced to jail and died there in 2005) and Picture Entertainment Corporation President Lee Caplin (from whom this contract was directly obtained), the contract secured the rights to Ali’s life story for use as a feature film. This contract is the original documentation between Ali and the film studio that started the film process, a more specific and formal contract was later drawn up by Columbia Pictures. In addition to Ali’s initials and signature, contract has also been initialed and signed by Hischfeld and Caplin. Contract is typed and has a few minor text edits in ink as well as inked annotations to bottoms of second and third pages. Contract was notarized Apr. 24, 1991. Contract was folded as likely mailed and has expected wear/creasing by staple at upper left corner. Exc. overall with initials and signatures remaining bold and distinct. Unique. Contract comes with an 11.5x17” promotional poster for the 2001 film “Ali,” which has been signed in black felt tip pen by Lee Caplin, who signed the above contract and is the founder and chairman of Picture Entertainment Corporation, a motion picture, television and theatrical production company that served as Executive Producer on “Ali.” Poster pictures Will Smith as Ali and Caplin has signed “You Are The Greatest – Lee Caplin,” an appropriate reference to Ali’s patented catchphrase “I Am The Greatest. Poster has been folded at center as issued and has some light handling wear. Exc. Comes with Hake’s COA.