'It's all about evolving, growing and trying something different,' the 'Madea' actor says of why he decides to take a very dark role which is a far cry from his trademark comedian persona.
- Oct 15, 2012
AceShowbiz - Best known for his performances in a number of black comedy films, Tyler Perry made a drastic change when deciding to go very dark for his new role in "Alex Cross". Admitting that he'd like to try something different in his career, the "Madea" series actor insisted that he's serious about turning to action genre and that he's really committed to his gritty role as Cross, who was previously made famous by Morgan Freeman.
"I really committed to being this character," he told Toronto Sun. "I spent a lot of time with the Atlanta police department, with their homicide squad, looking at cold cases and being involved in things I don't do in my everyday life. And after it was all over, I had to check in with myself to see how I feel about it. Because when you take on something that dark you really have to commit and go to some dark places."
To open in the U.S. this coming Friday, October 19, "Alex Cross" has been prepared as a franchise. However, Perry noted that he had some things to consider before choosing to reprise his role, stating, "I'd have to see how far I'd have to take my body, soul and spirit into that kind of world before I'd agree to do it again."
Tackling a character which was a far cry from his iconic role as Madea, Perry realized that he might lose some of his fans. "I may lose the grandmothers who come out after church," he said before stressing, "But I'll do something for them later. It's all about evolving, growing and trying something different."
An adaptation best-selling novels by James Patterson, "Alex Cross" follows the titular homicide detective/psychologist as he meets his match in a serial killer (Matthew Fox). The two face off in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, but when the mission gets personal, Cross is pushed to the edge of his moral and psychological limits in this taut and exciting action thriller.
The gritty actioner is directed by Rob Cohen and is supported by Edward Burns, Jean Reno, Rachel Nichols, Giancarlo Esposito, John C. McGinley, Cicely Tyson, Chad Lindberg and Carmen Ejogo.
