ARMORED
An Interview with Laurence Fishburne
by Wilson Morales



December 3, 2009



After playing so many leading roles on the big screen, Laurence Fishburne has quietly settled in being part of the team on one of television's highest rated programs, the CBS crime drama 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.'

While playing the role of Raymond Langston on the show has given the Augusta, Georgia native some stability as far as staying grounded in one area, he still finds some flexibility to do films that are appealing.

What's new with him is a supporting role in the action film 'Armored,' which is headlined by Columbus Short. Directed by Nimród Antal and also starring Matt Dillon and Jean Reno, the story is about a young armored car guard named Ty Hackett who has difficulties making ends meet, the veteran guards convince him to join them in emptying a truck of its $42 million cargo. Conflict arises when the guards shoot a cop (played by Milo Ventimiglia) and Ty insists on helping him. A standoff ensues, with Ty locked in the armored car with the cop and the money. While speaking to Blackfilm.com, Fishburne talked about working on an ensemble film and taking his one man show,'Thurgood' to the west coast.

What attracted you to 'Armored'?

Laurence Fishburne: I actually really liked the idea of stepping into the action genre again and doing something a little less cerebral than all the stuff that I've been doing.

How would you describe your character?

LF: Baines is a loose cannon. He's a meathead with a gun. He's not the sharpest tool in the shed.

This is more of a supporting role for you as opposed to being the lead of most of your films? Did it feel different to not be the focal point of the film? LF: No. I loved it. This is an ensemble piece. This is centered around Ty Hackett's character. This is Columbus Short's picture and he carries the picture brilliantly. We all stepped up and filled up the right spaces. I think the movie really works.

How was working with Columbus and Matt?

LF: It was terrific. All these guys were fun to work with. I would love to another shot with these guys. We didn't get a chance to hang too much off the set. It was a pretty tight schedule and we had to make this happen fairly quickly. Shooting a film with seven to eight actors together is complicated sometimes because you have to cover everybody. We just focused on the work. The film really works and I think people will enjoy it.

What did you get from working from Nimrod that's different from other directors you've worked with before? LF: Nimrod has an enthusiasm that's really wonderful. It's really great. I felt completely confident in his hands when we got there. He really loves what he does.

When did you find the time to shoot the film? Was it before you started work on 'CSI?'

LF: Yes. It was before I was on the show, which is about a little over a year ago.

Is doing the show old hat for you now? LF: I don't ever get to the point where anything is old hat. I'm really happy with my gig and the opportunity it's affording me to connect with an audience on a weekly basis. I'm still trying to explore and find ways to create a character that's interesting. It's nice to have someplace to go everyday. At some point the schedule will open up where I can something else.

Any plans to get back on Broadway?

LF: I don't know, but the show that I did last year, a one man show called 'Thurgood,' which is on Thurgood Marshall, I'm taking it to Washington D.C next year; and then I will be playing it here in Los Angeles in the summer months of 2010.