Willis to play Mike Tyson's trainer in 'Cornerman'

Hollywood star Bruce Willis will star in "Cornerstone" as legendary boxing trainer Constantine "Cus" D'Amato.

The 63-year-old actor will play Mike Tyson's boxing trainer in the film, written and to be directed by "Homeland" helmer Rupert Friend.

This will be Friend's feature-length directorial debut.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the plot centres on how D'Amato, an International Boxing Hall of Fame member who worked with bigwigs such as Floyd Patterson and Jose Torres, was introduced to a 13-year old Tyson after having reluctantly retired as a boxing coach.

Talking about the project, Friend said, "Ultimately, this is a story about a deep love between two ferocious talents, each brave enough to admit their fears to the other, and so spur one another to greatness. It is a story about fighting for what you believe in and a film that will make you question what strength really is."

Producers are said to begin a worldwide search for the actor who will portray Tyson.

Rupert Friend and Aimee Mullins for Circus Florist Films will produce, alongside Marc Butan and Ara Keshishian of MadRiver Pictures.