Mekhi Phifer Talks Divergentby Wilson Morales
March 17, 2014
Coming out this week is the anticipated adapted film from the book of Veronica Roth, ‘Divergent,’ starring Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Kate Winslet, Ray Stevenson, Mekhi Phifer, Maggie Q, Jai Courtney, Miles Teller, Zoë Kravitz, Ansel Elgort, Ben Lloyd-Hughes, Ben Lamb, Christian Madsen, Amy Newbold, Ashley Judd, and Tony Goldwyn.
“Divergent” is a thrilling adventure set in a future world where people are divided into distinct factions based on their personalities. Tris Prior (Woodley) is warned she is Divergent and will never fit into any one group. When she discovers a conspiracy to destroy all Divergents, she must find out what makes being Divergent so dangerous before it’s too late.
For Phifer, who plays Dauntless leader Max, it’s his big role since he was seen in the 2007 hit film ‘This Christmas.’ While the New York native has some impressive film credits, which includes Spike Lee’s ‘Clockers,’ ‘Soul Food’ with Nia Long, and ‘8 Mile’ with Eminem, Phifer is most recognized for his TV roles, including playing Dr. Greg Pratt on NBC‘s long-running medical drama ER, Ben Reynolds on Fox’s Lie To Me, and CIA agent Rex Matheson in Torchwood: Miracle Day. He recently a recurring role on Showtime’s House of Lies.
In speaking with Blackfilm.com, Phifer talks about his role in the film and his upcoming projects.
How did you go about getting the role of Max?
Mekhi Phifer: Well, Neil Burger our director was location scouting in Chicago and I was out here in Los Angeles. I came in and met with the producers and they had me read something that wasn’t in the script. It was a speech because Max is the leader of the Dauntless faction. It was a speech where I was addressing the initiates and they loved what I did and asked me to be a part of the film.
How would you best describe the character?
MP: Max is an iron fist leader. If you think of a general of an army and that no-nonsense kind of guy, that’s Max. You don’t really get to know who he is in this first installment. You don’t know how he became part of the Dauntless faction or what motivates him yet. There’s something going on and this is my first time being part of a franchise, so I’m looking forward to the second installment. I’m in limbo as to who he is as well. All I can do is use my instincts and bring that to the screen.
When you got the role, did you go and read the books?
MP: No. I knew about the books and I did go and the get the books, but I didn’t read them. I didn’t want to be jaded on what was on script page because there are some differences, although we do stay true to the books. I just focused on the books.
How was working with the big ensemble?
MP: The cast is great. Very youthful and a lot of fun to work with. No one is jaded. No one has egos. We all just got along and everyone’s really cool. Everyone is excited to be part of the film.
What’s it like to be part of a franchise?
MP: It’s great. I’ve always wanted to be part of something like this throughout my career. It’s a lot of fun and it’s interesting because usually when you read a script, you know what your character arc is, from beginning to end, and you play it accordingly. But with this film, I’m part of the unknown. I don’t know what to expect and where the character goes. It’s definitely an interesting process.
This is the first big film you’ve done since you were in ‘This Christmas’ over five years ago.
MP: Yes. I’ve been doing a lot of television. I’ve done a lot of big films in my career from Clockers to 8 Mile and things like that, but that’s part of being in this business. It’s about finding nuances and keeping them fresh and this film definitely helps me do that.
It’s almost 20 years since you first came into the business. Did you ever think you would still be doing this?
MP: It’s funny because when I did ‘Clockers’ I had a another life and this sort of fell into my life. I went to an open casting call and then through a rigorous audition process with Spike Lee. I thought it was cool to be in a movie and didn’t know it would turn into a full blown career.
It’s been one good run, especially with TV work you’ve done. These days, with so many TV channels, you have to fight for an audience.
MP: Absolutely. That’s just the nature of the business. There are so many outlets from TV, cable, online, Netflix, Hulu, and other mediums. It’s good for the business in some respects because it gives a lot of people work. It’s definitely a tough industry.
You have another film coming up, an indie called ‘The Suspect.’ What can you say about that film?
MP: It was really good to work on with Bill Sadler, Sterling Brown and a really good cast. It’s a thriller and a mystery. I don’t want to give too much away but I play a character who you assume is one way but isn’t. It’s an interesting whirlwind and it’s been well received.
In going back to Divergent, what will set this apart from the other franchises that may be similar?
MP: Well, Divergent is about someone who doesn’t fit into one faction and has a multitude of things to offer. There’s a certain aspect where it’s the young cast driving the story in the same demographics at The Hunger Games and The Twilight Saga, but it’s definitely different. We deal in adult themes, from politics to socioeconomics. It’s different and unique in its own way. I think people will be pleasantly surprised.
Do you have any projects coming up?
MP: Yes. I’ll be in Lifetime TV’s ‘A Day Late and A Dollar Short’ with Whoopi Goldberg and Ving Rhames and a great cast of great people (Elise Neal, Anika Noni Rose, and Tichina Arnold). That will be shown in April.
What’s a good reason to see Divergent?
MP: The audience will be happy. It’s a good thrill ride. It’s not necessarily an action film because there are so many components to it. People will walk away from that film and feel that they were on a journey.
