August 2008 | blackfilm.com | TROPIC THUNDER | An Interview with Brandon T Jackson

August 2008

TROPIC THUNDER | An Interview with Brandon T. Jackson

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TROPIC THUNDER
An Interview with Brandon T. Jackson
By Wilson Morales

August 11, 2008

Back in 2005, Brandon T. Jackson starred with Bow Wow in the teen flick ‘Roll Bounce’ and since then has been his acting and comedic while waiting for something for a plum part to arrive. Well, the part has arrived as Jackson landed a key supporting part in one of the most hilarious films to date, ‘Tropic Thunder’. The film stars Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr.

The film is about a series of freak occurrences where a group of actors shooting a big-budget war movie are forced to become the soldiers they are portraying. Jackson plays rapper turned actor Alpa Chino.

In speaking with blackfilm.com, Detroit native Jackson talks about his role, working with gifted comedians and what’s next for him.

How did you go about landing the part for this film?

Brandon T. Jackson: I auditioned like 13 times and at first they thought I was way too young and then what happened was that I called a call almost two months later when they were much into production and told me they wanted me to be in the film.

Was there anything special you did during the audition that you think nailed the role for you?

BJ: Yeah. I did different things with the character and I brought all these props in and really brought the character to life.

Can you describe your character?

BJ: My character is like a hip hop mogul, ‘Lil Wayne Ludacris type and he’s a businessman and a rapper who turned into an actor to further expand his business.

How much fun was it shooting the rap video commercial?

BJ: It was really fun. There was more footage to it, but some of it got cut. It’s funny and way over the top.

Can you talk about working with all these talented comedians and actors?

BJ: It was definitely a learning experience. It was an honor working with all of them and just to be alongside with these people who have been working for years. I learned a lot of stuff being on the set.

Although this a comedy where anything goes, what do you make of Robert Downey Jr. playing a character who pretends to be black on a film?

BJ: I think he did an excellent job portraying African-Americans. It’s not he did ‘Soul Man’ which wouldn’t had been cool. He did ask me questions in terms of playing the role. It wasn’t derogatory.

How was shooting on the set?

BJ: It was definitely hot and it rained a lot. To go back and forth for shoots because the rain prevented us from shooting many takes was challenging.

What can you say about Tom Cruise’s performance?

BJ: I think it’s one of the best things he’s done in a long time. I feel that he brought that character to life. Some people didn’t know it was him underneath the makeup until the end of the movie. That’s what makes it even better. He did an excellent job.

Did you think he had it in him to be funny?

BJ: Yes, I did. I have it in me to be dramatic. An actor is an actor, whether it’s dramatic or comedy.

What did you take out from doing this film than from your previous films?

BJ: Words cannot express as how much I learned. With ‘Roll Bounce’ it was a learning experience because I didn’t know anything, and with this film, it’s something new because it’s a entirely different market. It was almost like my first movie all over again.

What’s next for you? I read online that you are in ‘Burning Sands’ and ‘Days of Wrath’.

BJ: I’m not in those films. IMDB.com has it all wrong. Their information is completely inaccurate.

What then do you have next?

BJ: I just got off the Cool Tour that Lupe Fiasco is doing a couple of days from now. I have a number of offers but I want to be smart about my next move. I’m not the type of person that tells everyone what’s next. No one knew I was in ‘Tropic Thunder’ until the film news came out.

Why should anyone see ‘Tropic Thunder’?

BJ: I tell them that it’s something I haven’t seen before. It’s new, original and funny. It’s one of the funniest movies in a long time. I feel that it will be a classic.

TROPIC THUNDER OPENS ON AUGUST 15, 2008

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