Ive heard him talk about his feelings on this subject before, but this is the first ive read of him turning down work. I have a new found respect for his integrity and dedication to his craft.
from Dark Horizons:
Jackson Not Happy With 50 Cent
Samuel L. Jackson has turned down the chance to work with one of his movie icons - because it's in a film starring rapper 50 Cent reports Contact Music. Irish movie-maker Jim Sheridan ("In America") was targeting Jackson for a role in his new film which the actor was pleased about, until he realised the role was opposite rapper 50 Cent in his movie debut. Jackson has been extremely vocal about sharing the stage with unproven actors: "Hollywood people tend to think that because one is successful in one aspect of entertainment they can bring them into this particular world and make a success out of them. They ask people like me to be in a film with those people that they are kind of headlining and your name ends up behind them. If you do that, it sanctions the fact that these people come into this world and you think they are worthy of you sharing your time on screen with them. I don't particularly think that". Jackson went on about the specific incidents which happened: "A month or so ago, someone called me about the 50 Cent movie and I'm like, 'What are you calling me for?' I don't even need to read that because that's not something I want to do. I like listening to 50 Cent and I can groove to his music but I don't want to groove to him on screen, just yet. Maybe if he does five movies and he shows some talent. I mean how does he get to work with Jim Sheridan and I don't. What is it about 50 Cent that makes Jim Sheridan say, 'I'd really like to make a movie with him'".
Goldberg74
01-08-05, 01:09 AM
Okay... and he's starring in Coach Carter with Ashanti, in her film debut.
But there is no way that she is going to get top billing in that, he has nothing to be worried about. ;)
devilshalo
01-08-05, 01:30 AM
I guess Ice Cube, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes & Xzibit have enough under their belt to warrant some screen time. -ohbfrank-
Edit: Added more people he starred with.
jaeufraser
01-08-05, 01:33 AM
It sounds like he's holding this director to a higher standard than many others. I doubt he expected much of anything but fluff from movies like XXX. And Ice Cube does have a pretty lengthy resume of acting, whether you think he's good or not.
Rogue588
01-08-05, 03:31 AM
First I was like RIGHT ON Sam!. Then I was like "Hey, yeah, Goldberg's got a point. Ashanti does suck [and not in a good way], however, he's also right about her billing." Then I was like "devilshalo improved on Goldberg's point". After reading jaeufraser's post, I think he's right with the "director" comment. If you're making a movie with Martin Scorsese or another high caliber DIRECTOR, it's safe to assume you won't see the flavor of the month rapper in it.
Much less a movie about his "life" story..
jarofclay73
01-08-05, 05:06 AM
Possibly Sam Jackson feels that way AFTER working with all those people.
Anyway, I heard that 50 Cent isn't a nice guy. My friend worked security at a hotel 50 Cent was staying in Hawaii.
Giantrobo
01-08-05, 07:51 AM
Jackson has been bitching about Rapper "actors" for a couple years now. But the funny thing is Hollywood has been doing this for years with no complaints. A few names come to mind....
Frank Sinatra
Dean Martin
Sammy Davis Jr.
fuzzbox
01-08-05, 08:38 AM
Have you looked at the cast list for "Be Cool"? I think there are actually more musicians and non-actors in it than there are established actors:
Cedric the Entertainer
André 3000
Steven Tyler
Christina Milian
The Rock
Can this movie be anything BUT a flaming pile?
Count Dooku
01-08-05, 08:57 AM
Apparently, no one's bothered to visit the IMDB.
The movie is called "Locked and Loaded" and it's based on 50 Cent's own life story. So, it's not too much of a stretch of imagination to see Fiddy starring in it.
Yes, it could suck, but look how 8 Mile turned out, and that was directed by an Oscar nominated director, Curtis Hanson.
Last time I checked, Sam Jackson didn't have an Oscar, but it was good enough for Kim Basinger (who does have an Oscar) to play a supporting role to Eminem.
And what the hell does Sam Jackson have to be so high and mighty about?
Does anybody here remember a movie called "The 51st State"?
Hey, Sam. If you don't want to be in the movie, turn it down.
Where was your outrage when they made "Crossroads" and "From Justin to Kelly"?
Michael Corvin
01-08-05, 10:14 AM
Apparently, no one's bothered to visit the IMDB.
Hey, Sam. If you don't want to be in the movie, turn it down.
Where was your outrage when they made "Crossroads" and "From Justin to Kelly"?
Oh, I didn't know Sam was up for roles in those films. Great analogy. :rolleyes:
I think it is probably a combo of what jarsofclay and jaeufraser said. Certain directors are held to a higher standard than going with the flavor of the month, which 50 cent is. Secondly having starred with a handful of other music artists who get top billing it probably frustrating. Think about it, you spend 20 years honing your skills and getting to a place where you get top billing on a film and in walks some day old TRL pop star who gets billing right along with you. I don't think so. I think Sam has a right to be pissed. Go Sam!
scott shelton
01-08-05, 12:52 PM
Sam Jackson lost all credibility years ago when he admitted on the DEEP BLUE SEA commentary that he picks his roles based on their vicinity to a golf course.
I don't care if that's the truth, but he should've kept that nugget to himself.
scott shelton
01-08-05, 12:53 PM
Have you looked at the cast list for "Be Cool"? I think there are actually more musicians and non-actors in it than there are established actors:
Er, it's ABOUT the music industry.
thegame370
01-08-05, 01:25 PM
I guess Ice Cube, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes & Xzibit have enough under their belt to warrant some screen time. -ohbfrank-
Edit: Added more people he starred with.
:thumbsup:
Goldberg74
01-08-05, 01:39 PM
Sam Jackson lost all credibility years ago when he admitted on the DEEP BLUE SEA commentary that he picks his roles based on their vicinity to a golf course.
I don't care if that's the truth, but he should've kept that nugget to himself.
Did someone mention "Samuel L . Jackson" and "nugget"?
http://cameltoe.bolt.com/images/celeb.jpg
Rogue588
01-08-05, 01:49 PM
Sam Jackson lost all credibility years ago when he admitted on the DEEP BLUE SEA commentary that he picks his roles based on their vicinity to a golf course.
:lol:
PopcornTreeCt
01-08-05, 02:56 PM
Well I guess I'll be the lone Sam Jackson supporter here. Good for him for saying what most have probably been thinking.
So he refuses to play second fiddle to a non-actor, but he's willing to play second fiddle to someone who can't act (Ben Affleck)?
In all fairness, Changing Lanes was a solid film, and Ben Affleck performed just fine in that movie.
Michael Corvin
01-08-05, 05:26 PM
So he refuses to play second fiddle to a non-actor, but he's willing to play second fiddle to someone who can't act (Ben Affleck)?
Which one owns an Oscar? Granted it is for writing, but still.
boredsilly
01-08-05, 05:35 PM
Didn't Morgan Freeman also say something about this?
Even though it's a bit hypocritical on his part I can see where Sam is coming from. If you've seen any 50 cent video I don't see how any director could get a solid performance out of Mr. Curtis Jackson. That is one stiff guy.
And back up people, Be Cool is gonna own!
Rypro 525
01-08-05, 05:54 PM
now everyone here knows that jackson should hold an oscar (fior pulp fiction) but doesnt'
Goldberg74
01-08-05, 06:23 PM
If you've seen any 50 cent video I don't see how any director could get a solid performance out of Mr. Curtis Jackson. That is one stiff guy.
Speaking of stiff actors... maybe they should cast Elisabeth Rohm as his love interest. She's got nothing to do anymore. (4 more days! ;) )
William Fuld
01-08-05, 06:26 PM
"Hollywood people tend to think that because one is successful in one aspect of entertainment they can bring them into this particular world and make a success out of them."
And there's about a hundred years worth of proof that Hollywood is right.
mikehunt
01-08-05, 09:51 PM
imagine if a white guy had said that
I'm not saying jackson's comment was related to race, but if this came form a white guy it would have been twisted to be that way
Brain Stew
01-08-05, 10:28 PM
imagine if a white guy had said that
I'm not saying jackson's comment was related to race, but if this came form a white guy it would have been twisted to be that way
Right.....
This thread has nothing to do with race, so thanks for twisting that way.
Coral
01-08-05, 11:08 PM
Even though it seems that he's being a hypocrite, I do agree with him.
It seems like almost every film has a role played by someone in the music industry (and not just rappers). Many times it just seems like a marketing ploy to get more people to see the film - which I think is a shame since most of the time it takes away from the film because of this unnecessary bad performance.
I know if I were a trained actor looking for work - I'd be pissed off that people with absolute no acting experience are taking their jobs simply because they're famous. I wonder how many great young actors we didn't get to see perform because the role went to a one hit wonder.
William Fuld
01-08-05, 11:43 PM
Even though it seems that he's being a hypocrite, I do agree with him.
It seems like almost every film has a role played by someone in the music industry (and not just rappers). Many times it just seems like a marketing ploy to get more people to see the film - which I think is a shame since most of the time it takes away from the film because of this unnecessary bad performance.
I know if I were a trained actor looking for work - I'd be pissed off that people with absolute no acting experience are taking their jobs simply because they're famous. I wonder how many great young actors we didn't get to see perform because the role went to a one hit wonder.
But that's the history of Hollywood. Whether it was vaudevillians, athletes, singers, dancers, night club acts, stand-up comics, whoever, performers have always come from outside of acting circles and succeeded, alongside "real" actors.
"Great young actors" aren't losing roles to rappers and pop stars because the roles they're getting are nothing more than gimmicks, glorified cameos, and vehicles to tie-in to their popularity among teenagers. Like you said a marketing ploy.
Josh-da-man
01-09-05, 03:33 AM
Jackson has been bitching about Rapper "actors" for a couple years now. But the funny thing is Hollywood has been doing this for years with no complaints. A few names come to mind....
Frank Sinatra
Dean Martin
Sammy Davis Jr.
There's just something obnoxiously cynical about Hollywood wanting to shoehorn whatever rapper is hot into their movies. It's just such obvious stunt casting that it's kind off-putting. Like Busta Rhymes in that Halloween movie.
Funny that you mention Frank, Sammy, and Dino. I would argue that those those guys actually have a lot in common with rappers, in that they're less musicians and more entertainers. So they're going to have some personal charm and charisma that's going to show up on the screen even if they aren't particularly good actors. Whereas a musician, a real musician would probably make a shitty actor.
conscience
01-09-05, 06:54 AM
Did someone mention "Samuel L . Jackson" and "nugget"?
http://cameltoe.bolt.com/images/celeb.jpg
Don't even go there...again.
rotfl
conscience
01-09-05, 06:57 AM
now everyone here knows that jackson should hold an oscar (fior pulp fiction) but doesnt'
Nope..
<i>Karloff? Sidekick? FUCK YOU! Karloff did not deserve to smell my shit! That limey ********er can rot in Hell for all I care!</i>
conscience
01-09-05, 07:01 AM
Hopefully Sheridan can work wonders with 50 Cent in improving his acting skills, as he is <b>the</b> most bland speaker I have ever heard.
When he talks (say on awards shows) I have to cut the noise out of everything else and listen carefully as he mumbles and talk with a weird sound in his voice.
I can't even explain it...I don't know if it is the numerous bullets he has been shot with or what...
Rivero
01-09-05, 07:24 AM
I wonder what Jon Bon Jovi would have to say on the matter.
harosa
01-09-05, 09:06 AM
Unless the scriopt was something that screamed Oscar its obvious Jim Sheridan is trying for a little mainstream (hopefully) success to offshoot into other oppurtunities, which is a nicer way of saying its a money run and its something Jackson should've called him on. I love Jackson in almost anything he does but he comes off as a bit of a jealous whiny bitch to me. Who is he to hold rappers up to a higher standard? Can we comb through all his films and nitpick every bad actor in all of them and complain why he worked with such obvious no talents, why try to cockblock someone's dream, he knows acting is the cushiest job EVER and talent isnt always required to be a star so why wouldnt a singer try and get in on that?
Coral
01-09-05, 11:21 AM
"Great young actors" aren't losing roles to rappers and pop stars because the roles they're getting are nothing more than gimmicks, glorified cameos, and vehicles to tie-in to their popularity among teenagers. Like you said a marketing ploy.
I disagree.
First, not all of those roles are cameos and such - and secondly, even if they are bit roles (not cameos) - ANY role a young actor can get is more on screen experience and will add to his/her resume.
devilshalo
01-09-05, 12:53 PM
Sam should be thankful that he's been able to milk the angry black man roles since Coming to America. -ohbfrank-
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