I thought this might actually happen…

Sony Pictures has announced that it will re-release the Will Smith-starring Muhammad biopic, titled “Ali,” in theaters this Friday, June 10, which also happens to be the same day a memorial procession and service are set to be held in Ali’s home town of Louisville, Kentucky.

The film will open in a limited number of theaters around the country, according to Sony, “in homage and celebration of the life of the American legend,” the press release states. Sony’s President of Worldwide Distribution, Rory Bruer, said that the studio received numerous requests to bring the film back to theaters after Ali’s death 5 days ago.

He added: “The film truly honors everything that made Ali one of the central figures of our time, a man who commanded his sport but whose personal faith and principles made him mean so much more. Muhammad Ali truly was The Greatest, and this tribute is a great way to honor him.”

Michael Mann directed the film from a script he wrote with Stephen J. Rivele, Christopher Wilkinson, and Eric Roth. Smith earned his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in the titular role, while Jon Voight, who played sports journalist Howard Cosell, was also nominated for his work on the 2001 movie.

It was reported earlier this week Smith would serve as a pallbearer at Ali’s memorial service.

While I’m a Michael Mann fan, and thought the script was solid, I just couldn’t get past Will Smith’s performance, which felt more like Will Smith trying to act like Ali, than Will Smith actually becoming Ali on screen. He certainly had some good moments, but, overall, I think there was a much better suited actor for the job. Alas, it was said at the time that Ali wanted Smith for the role, so he certainly got his wish, and ultimately, maybe that’s all that matters.

But if you must watch an Ali film, there are a handful of excellent documentaries that I’d recommend instead, from “When We Were Kings” (1996) to “The Trials of Muhammad Ali” (2013) more recently. And there are others…

What would be even more commendable is if Sony gave all the profits from this re-release to Ali’s favorite charities.

“Ali” earned $58 million in domestic USA box office and generally positive critical responses upon its release.