Redd Foxx, who knew former heavyweight champ Jack Johnson, whose career and struggle against racism inspired the original play, turned down a role in the film as he believed it was not a true picture of his old friend.
Inspired by the story of the black boxer Jack Johnson, who was heavyweight champion from 1908 to 1915.
The original Broadway production of "The Great White Hope" by Howard Sackler opened at the Alvin Theater in New York on October 3, 1968, ran for 546 performances and won the 1969 Tony Award for the Best Play. James Earl Jones won the 1969 Tony Award for Best Actor in Play and recreated his stage role in the movie version. Jane Alexander won the 1969 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play and recreated her stage role in the movie version. The play author also wrote the screenplay for the movie version.
The play "The Great White Hope" won the Pulitzer Prize in Drama in 1969.
Muhammad Ali was a visitor to the set during production. He assisted unofficially with the boxing choreography.