I just read this on the IMDB. Interesting choice for Mr. Jackson, but his reasoning makes sense to me. If you want a musician/rapper in a film because he can act, fine. If you're taking a role from a legitimate actor who's looking for work just because you want name recognition, it's BS to me. Shame really, because I think Jim Sheridan is a great director.

Samuel L. Jackson has rejected an offer to appear in director Jim Sheridan's upcoming film Locked and Loaded because it stars rapper 50 Cent. In a statement, Jackson said, "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." Jackson suggested that the studio merely wanted to exploit his name to give the hip-hop star's first film legitimacy. (It reportedly is "loosely based" on his life.) In his statement, Jackson asks, "What is it about 50 Cent that makes Jim Sheridan say: 'I'd really like to make a movie with him?'"

I understand his point. I wonder if he had any objections to Ashanti being in his latest film Coach Carter?

RipHer2Shreds said:

Jim Sheridan is a slut for money?

Too bad. He had a pretty good track record.
[Edited 1/7/05 11:50am]

Jackson's got a good point, but he's also got double standards.

Jim Sheridan's obviously just doing the film for the money. How else do you explain going from working with Daniel Day-Lewis to directing that no talent asswipe 50 Cent.

VoicesCarry said:

To tell you the truth, I wonder how much control Sheridan has over that. I would guess that he doesn't have final say. A lot of directors don't, and he's not known for making big blockbusters. It's usually the big wigs that get to call all the shots.

i agree with what he said. you tell em sammy!

RipHer2Shreds said:

Uh uh. This ain't the studio system of the 40's . Jim's been doing small indie pics for 15 years now, and now this? No - studio ain't forcing him to do shit.

VoicesCarry said:

"That's the thing about money, Bud. Makes you do things you don't wanna do". (Wall Street).

VoicesCarry said:

I know what decade it is and I didn't say the studio was forcing him to do anything. I simply said I wondered if it was his decision, because studios sometimes have final say.

RipHer2Shreds said:

For the record, I wasn't being sarcastic with you.

But "forcing him" and "big shots calling the shots" - how is that different? I can't see why they'd want Jim Sheridan, anyway - he's not a suitable director for this type of project.

Let's hope it bombs.