A lot of times black actors get stuck in a box. They're up against a lot of limitations for the kind of films that they get approached about. It's easy to get stuck in a box and just be approached about nothing but urban films. Or, if you start out as a comedian, it's easy for you to be approached about nothing but comedies, and comedies with all black casts. |
He was a soldier, a Marine... |
I went to the surplus store on Santa Monica and Vine (in Los Angeles) and went and got me a Navy outfit, put the black tape under my eyes. I got me a whistle and went in there with a hat looking like a full-on drill sergeant. |
I've never had to fight hard for anything I've gotten in the past. |
The fight didn't end there. I've never boxed in my life, never been in a military base in my life, never grew up with anyone in the military. I had to go train and do a bunch of things I had no clue about: physical training in the gym and boxing training and learning the choreography. I can say, hands down, 'Annapolis' is the most challenging film I've ever taken on. |
There are a lot of directors who make big money and do big things and then move out of the 'hood, |
We live in the same building. |
We went to Annapolis for about four hours one day and were just on the campus. He was taking us around, showing us the boxing ring, showing us the Navy base. When we got to Memorial Hall, he broke down and cried. So I took what I saw from him and used it. |