REPO MEN
An Interview with Dorian Missick


by Wilson Morales

March 18, 2010

With a number of acting credits in the theater community ('A Soldier's Play'), TV world ('Six Degrees'), and film industry ('Premium,' 'Freedomland'), the multi-talented Dorian Missick is just a jack of all trades who seems to reinvent himself with each new project.

Coming up next for the East Orange, NJ native is a supporting role opposite Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler in the romantic comedy, 'The Bounty Hunter.'

Directed by Andy Tennant, Milo Boyd (played by Butler), a down-on-his-luck bounty hunter, gets his dream job when he is assigned to track down his bail-jumping ex-wife, reporter Nicole Hurly (played by Aniston). He thinks all that's ahead is an easy payday, but when Nicole gives him the slip so she can chase a lead on a murder cover-up, Milo realizes that nothing ever goes simply with him and Nicole. The exes continually one-up each other – until they find themselves on the run for their lives. They thought their promise to love, honor and obey was tough – staying alive is going to be a whole lot tougher.

Blackfilm.com caught up with Missick as he spoke about his role in the film and upcoming projects.

What attracted you to the film?

Dorian Missick: I was attracted to this film mainly because of Andy Tennant. He directed 'Hitch,' which is one of my favorite films. I've always seen myself in films like that and accepted immediately when I was approached. Also, if you're a fan of Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston, there's plenty of them and their chemistry in this movie. It's entertaining and fun. You'll laugh, I promise.

Tell us about your role. DM: I play Detective Bobby Jenkins, Milo's (Gerard Butler) ex partner and close friend. Through Milo's pursuit of his ex wife (Jenifer Aniston), whom I am also friends with, some information comes out that implicates me in some dirty cop business.

Would you say this is the biggest exposure you've had on the big screen?

DM: Only time can really answer that question. I've had some great roles in some major projects before ('Two Weeks Notice,' 'Lucky Number Slevin') and all have lead to some other great work. I'm sure they played a major role in me being offered this project. You never really know what's going to be the project that will catapult your career. The only thing I can control is that the work I put out there is consistently great.

How was working with Gerard and Jennifer?

DM: Both Jen and Gerry are great to work with. Gerry's my kind of dude! Good sense of humor, doesn't stray away from a good dirty joke, and isn't easily offended. He takes his job seriously, but doesn't take himself too seriously. That's a recipe for a successful career. Jen is every bit as lovable as the characters she plays. I had to resist the urge to hug her quite a bit during the shoot. You just want to squeeze her!

Did you get to be friends after production wrapped? DM: We've maintained a friendly professional relationship. There's definitely mutual respect and love for one another. It was good to see them at the premiere, but I don't hang out with many people I work with. It's like making friends at summer camp. It's never quite the same after the summer, but you'll always have those memories.

How was working with director Andy Tennant?

DM: Andy is one of those directors that does the bulk of his work with actors in casting the film. He let us find our characters without much coaxing on his part. Aside from some technical notes, he let us rock. It says something when a director trusts his choices in actors enough to do that.

Can you talk your latest TV project, the NBC's drama pilot 'The Cape?'

DM: Right now we're in the pilot stage with that project. I actually start work in the morning. I play a detective who betrays (though reluctantly) my partner (played by David Lyons). My betrayal makes us arch enemies and sends him down the path to becoming a well trained crime fighting machine called 'The Cape' with a chip on his shoulder when it comes to my character.

Will it be compared to the other NBC series, 'Heroes?' DM: I'm sure there will be a few comparisons due to the theme, but they are different. Since we're only in the pilot stages, I'm not going to get into how they specifically differ. Things could change. How tough is it when your series doesn't get a pickup like 'Six Degrees?' DM: In this business, you develop a thick skin to survive. I've learned to roll with the punches. I always bet on myself, so I know another job is never too far away. 'Six Degrees' was a great learning experience, and it opened quite a few doors. I was disappointed when it didn't get picked up for the duration of the season, but I think I proved myself to a lot of people in Hollywood. I still get offers from producers sighting that show as when they first took notice of me.

How do you balance trying to land gigs on the big and small screen?

DM: I follow the good stories, no matter where they're being told. Each medium has its advantages. However, film has always been my first love. When I was a kid, it was through watching movies and reading books that I really became infatuated with the story telling process. When my mom took me to see 'A Soldier's Story,' I decided right then what I was going to do with my life. There's something larger than life about watching movies on the big screen. I always aimed at having that same impact on a young person someday. The writing on TV is very good these days and it heightens my visibility therefore affording me more opportunities in movies. Right now the balancing act seems to be working for me.

Any plans on returning to theater?

DM: I have every intention of getting back on the stage. I'm a New York actor! Theater is in my blood. I will be on somebody's stage until the day I stop breathing. The creative freedom and the collaborative process of theater is unmatched anywhere else. If Hollywood is the NBA, then theater is The Rucker tournament. It's nice to get your money and all the shine in the NBA, but if you get your ankles broken and dunked on at the Ruck you'll be forever remembered as a chump! Now I like gifting suites and swanky parties, but I'll never be anybody's chump. I'll always be looking for opportunities to get on stage and earn my keep. All the greats understand that.

Whatever happened with the indie film you were set to do, 'Sundays in Fort Greene,' with Meagan Good as one of the producers and co-stars?'

DM: The project just fell apart. Although not unusual, it was unfortunate. We had a great script, cast, and passionate director. One bad apple spoiled that bunch. I was signed on to do two films at that time, and both fell apart for business reasons. That sort of thing happens all too often. And not just with "Black" films. I've been involved with major films and pilots that have been shelved or pushed before ever getting made. I really hope 'Sundays...' get made. We need that story.

What's your next film role?

DM: Next up is the film 'Moozlum' starring myself, Evan Ross, Danny Glover, Nia Long, Roger Guenevere Smith, Summer Bishil, and newcomer Kimberley Drummond. The film's directed by Qasim Basir, and is about a young Muslim at a crossroads in his life and beliefs and how he navigates that just days before the 9/11 attacks. My character, Professor Jamal, is a young muslim professor who strikes up a mentoring relationship with Evan's character. I also have a strained -- to say the least -- relationship with Danny Glover's character who's the narrow minded dean of the university I teach at and Evan attends. It's an important film and I'm really proud of the work everyone did in it.