Coming out this week is the latest installment in the “Shaft” franchise with Samuel L. Jackson, Jessie T. Usher, Richard Roundtree, Regina Hall and Alexandra Shipp.
Tim Story is directing the movie, which is seen as a continuation of the story of Shaft, the private detective that first appeared in the 1970s Blaxploitation action movie that became a pop culture phenomenon. JJ, aka John Shaft Jr. (Usher), may be a cyber security expert with a degree from MIT, but to uncover the truth behind his best friend’s untimely death, he needs an education only his dad can provide. Absent throughout JJ’s youth, the legendary locked-and-loaded John Shaft agrees to help his progeny navigate Harlem’s heroin-infested underbelly. And while JJ’s own FBI analyst’s badge may clash with his dad’s trademark leather coat, there’s no denying family. Besides, Shaft’s got an agenda of his own, and a score to settle that’s professional and personal.
Best known for directing a number of franchises from Fantastic Four, Ride Along and Think a Like a Man, as well as directing the first Barbershop, Story is one of the most successful black directors.
Blackfilm.com spoke exclusively with Story about this latest installment of Shaft.
How did this project come to you?
Tim Story: I was given a script written by Kenya Barris by producer John Davis. I read it and laughed out loud. Most importantly, they had written and figured out a way to bring Shaft in the present day and I wanted to part of it because it spoke to me in terms of the story they were telling. It’s a great father and son story and I just wanted to be a part of it.
Since Sam and Richard Roundtree were both in the last film, how different would their characters be here?
Tim Story: I think the difference is that we’re obviously making it more funny. We do consider it an action comedy now but at the same time we keep the respect of who Shaft is and what he represents. I think people will enjoy our take on it today. What’s different about it? Maybe the humor or surroundings but Richard Roundtree and Sam Jackson still give you the Shafts that you expect.
How much has Sam’s Shaft changed in over 15 years?
Tim Story: Not much. Maybe he drinks a green drink here and there, but that’s what fun about the movie. We’re pretty much saying that he has not changed and he has to be told by his son, who is one of those people that he will listen to, that some things have changed in the world that he can’t do anymore. He will question it and that’s what great about the film. There’s a conversation about he can do now and what he can not do.
How important was it to have Richard be in the film and be a factor in the story?
Tim Story: It was important to me to not only have him in the movie but for him to have an impact to what happens in the movie. I wanted to see him be a badass as he started out to be and to see that he hasn’t skipped a beat. I’m really happy to what we accomplished with his participation.
What does Jessie bring to the screen that will have folks buy him as the new Shaft?
Tim Story: What he brings to the screen is a new millennial version of where Shaft might start. Ultimately he finds respect in what his dad represents. He takes a little bit of that and brings it to his personality. People will love that we were able to create a character from scratch where Richard and Sam’s characters were already created before we got started. I think Jessie’s Shaft makes a great addition yo the Shaft family.
With this film, you also have strong women in Regina, Alexandria and Lauren.
Tim Story: Exactly. Strong womanhood. The Shaft franchise has brought out strong men and I looked at the scale and said that we could also have strong women. None of these women are window dressing or sitting around not giving their opinion on stuff. They’re involved and they are engaged. I thought that if you’re going to have the men kick ass, the women should be doing the same.
What is that you love about working with an ensemble cast?
Tim Story: I like the dialogue that groups have. I like the cadence and rhythm that when you see many characters in a movie, there is something about hearing them bounce off one another that I just find that as fun. I often equate it to having a jazz band where people are working with one another and talking with one another. To me, it makes for great music. It makes for great filmmaking when you can have these cadences and languages happen from a number of different characters.
Could this Shaft lead into another sequel?
Tim Story: I hope so. WE had so much fun with this movie and it turned out to be, in my opinion, a great result that I hope the audience go and say, “come back and do this one more time,” because if they do, we would definitely show up again.
What are your thoughts on this film playing on Netflix overseas two weeks after its domestic release?
Tim Story: I’m of the opinion that times have changed and however the eyeballs get on it, I don’t care. As long as you see my movie. As long as you enjoy it and share it, I don’t mind how it gets to the audiences.
You mentioned earlier that this is an action-comedy, and so was there was a time when you questioned if a scene was funny or not?
Tim Story: So much of it is the courage of saying, “Let’s go for it.” The good thing about making these comedies is that you get a chance at some point to test it, to put it in front of an audience and see and find out if your instincts are working correct. With this film, it has to be funny to me first and then you hope that when you put it in front of an audience, they agree. That’s all you can do.
What’s next?
Tim Story: I’m doing an hybrid version of Tom and Jerry for Warner Bros. Hopefully, I can make you laugh at that one as well.
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