Michael Ealy Enters The Sci-Fi World With Underworld: AwakeningBy Wilson Morales
January 16, 2012
It’s amazing that after working over ten years in the acting world, Michael Ealy is about to embark into a new venture with his first sci-fi film. Coming out on January 20th is ‘Underworld: Awakening,’ the fourth film in the ‘Underworld’ film series, with Kate Beckinsale reprising her role as Selene. Also cast in the film are Theo James, Sandrine Holt, and India Eisley.
When human forces discover the existence of the Vampire and Lycan clans, a war to eradicate both species commences. The vampire warrioress Selene leads the battle against humankind.
For Ealy, who plays Detective Sebastian, the film is also represents the first time the Maryland native has worked in a 3D film and with CGI. With a list of films that include ‘Barbershop,’ ‘Miracle at St. Anna,’ ‘Takers,’ ‘For Colored Girls,’ as well as the TV series ‘Sleeper Cell’ and guest appearances on ‘The Good Wife,’ Ealy will next be seen in the romantic comedy ‘Think Like A Man,’ and then on the small screen in the TV series ‘Common Law,’ his first starring role.
Blackfilm.com recently spoke to Ealy about filming ‘Underworld: Awakening’ and working with an ensemble for his other film, ‘Think Like A Man.’
How do you feel doing your first sci-fi film?
Michael Ealy: For me, it’s important to diversify the body of work and that was part of the challenge in taking this role. It was also partly the reason why I chose to take this role. For me, the opportunity to do a sci-fi film gives me that exact opportunity to broaden my horizons as an actor and work with different people.
How does your character come into the story and how you first come into contact with Kate’s character?
ME: The first time I meet Kate’s character, Selene, she has a gun to my head, which was charming, but a great way to start off a relationship. My character is a detective, who, like any other detective, is investigating a dead body. While he’s looking at the body and noticing how this person was killed, Lycans are extinct and he can’t speak what he knows. It’s not until later, when he does come into contact with Kate’s character, there’s a lot of tension between these two. It’s based on my character’s past and her kind, so we don’t get along. We’re not buddies right away. We develop a relationship slowly, I have a very big grudge against the Vampires.
Now that you’ve done the film, who would you rather be, a vampire or a Lycan?
ME: I’d rather be a vampire any day of the week. Vampires, as Hollywood portrays them, are always wealthy, always well dresses, and they are highly sexual. They also don’t age. I could stay at 32 for the rest of my life for 800 years, and I think that would be amazing.
You’re also working with CGI for the first time. How was that like?
ME: Working with CGI was a little bit different to be honest with you. There’s Lycans that aren’t there. There are creatures that aren’t there. Fortunately, I have a theater background and I was able to reach back and channel things that I had learned on stage and pulled them out for this particular production. That was very helpful for me. There are also certain technical things that you have to do differently when you are working on a 3D film that you wouldn’t have to do on a 2D film. There were some technical adjustments that didn’t affect my character so much as they did the others, but they were bumps in the road for me on this movie.
What did you walk away with from the film once shooting wrapped?
ME: The sci-fi genre has a nice blend of action and drama. You don’t see that. Often times, most action films are all action with no real story or it’s all drama and no action. What I had taken away from the sci-fi genre, based on my experience, and both action and drama.
Were you offered any sci-fi films in the past that you declined?
ME: I had not been offered a sci-fi film in the past. I wasn’t a big fan at first, and I’m sure I would have loved to try out for one or two films. I didn’t get the call for ‘Avatar.’ I’m not sure why I wasn’t getting the opportunities for this genre. It was never ever presented to me.
How was working with Kate (Beckinsale)?
ME: She’s great. She has a great sense of humor and easy to get along with. She started joking with me from the beginning and that broke the ice and we just moved along from there and had a great relationship. At the press junket, I walked into her room and talking like nothing had changed in the last seven months. Kate is also back and badder than ever. For the first time in the series, there’s a human component. The movie is shot in 3D and it just pops off the screen like a graphic novel. It’s amazing to watch.
Right after this, you have the romantic comedy, ‘Think Like A Man,’ in which you are working with friends, including producer Will Packer. Does it make it easier for you when working on a film that doesn’t require a lot of work to build chemistry?
ME: Yes. Once I got into the Screen Gems system, you are coming to work with familiar people, and that definitely makes it a little easier. When I went to do ‘Underworld,’ it wasn’t quite the same, but yet I developed a new family relationship with Kate and the others.
From ‘Barbershop’ to ‘Takers’ to ‘Think Like A Man,’ what’s the joy of doing an ensemble film?
ME: There’s something very unselfish about working in an ensemble film. I think, as actors, we are almost trained to be selfish. It’s a competitive business. When you do an ensemble film, you have to be unselfish. That is the key. That is what I have learned. It’s not so much collaborating as it is, just being able to work with other people and being part of something. It’s more of a team effort and you are not just performing for yourself.
With the upcoming films, and a new TV series, how do you find time to balance the work?
ME: I just do it. If the character appeals to me, I’m going to do it. Whether it’s a film, TV, or a stage play, I’m going to do it. I’m actor. I don’t see many limitations in terms of what I can do on-screen. If it’s not singing, I think I can handle it.
‘Common Law’ is your first starring TV series. Is it a drama or a sitcom?
ME: I like to term ‘Common Law’ as an action comedy. There’s definitely some drama there but also some heart. You also have a lot of action in comedy.
