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Tag: Aaron Pierre

Aaron Pierre to play John Stewart in DC TV Series ‘Lanterns’
(Left) Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond in ‘Rebel Ridge’. Photo: Allyson Riggs/Netflix © 2024. (Right) DC Comics’ Green Lantern John Stewart. Photo: DC Comics.

Preview:
- Aaron Pierre is joining the DC Studios TV series ‘Lanterns.’
- The show adapts the ‘Green Lantern’ comics.
- Damon Lindelof and Chris Mundy are among the producers of the new show.
The details are truly falling into place for DC Studios/HBO’s ‘Green Lanterns’ comics-based TV series ‘Lanterns.’

We learned last month that Kyle Chandler had entered talks to play one of the key lead roles, Lantern Corps member Hal Jordan, and he’s now signed a deal to star.

Casting his co-star came down to final decision between Stephan James (‘Race’) and Aaron Pierre, who recently showed his bad-ass side in ‘Rebel Ridge’ on Netflix. And now we know that Pierre has won the role of John Stewart, Jordan’s fellow corpsman.

It’s a much-anticipated role, since Pierre will be playing a character based on one of the States’ first black superheroes, and the show itself is a key part of DC Studios bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran’s strategy going forward.
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What’s the story of ‘Green Lantern’ in comics form?

DC Comics’ Green Lantern John Stewart. Photo: DC Comics.

Created in its first incarnation (a Lantern named Alan Scott) in 1940 by Martin Nodell and Bill Finger, the concept of the ‘Green Lantern’ comics is that of a super-powered, police force, battling evil doers with rings that allow them to channel energy into different forms. There are many Lanterns, who patrol the known and unknown universe.

‘Green Lantern’s history on screen has been seriously mixed. Though different takes on the character have flourished in animated movies and series, their live-action counterparts have had less luck. Ryan Reynolds played the Hal Jordan version in a 2011 movie that didn’t triumph at the box office, and there have been fleeting glimpses on the small screen.

Even Zack Snyder didn’t manage to realize his chosen Lantern –– John Stewart –– in his mammoth Snyder Cut of ‘Justice League’. Despite shooting a cameo with Wayne T. Carr as Stewart, Warners asked him to remove the character because of the studio’s own plans. In the end, Snyder swapped in Martian Manhunter.

Gunn has Nathan Fillion playing the Guy Gardner incarnation in his ‘Superman’ movie, which lands on July 11th next year.

(Center) James Gunn and the cast of ‘Superman.’ Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram Account.

And the show had been in development before Gunn and Safran made their big announcement. Back in 2020, ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ Seth Grahame-Smith hopped aboard to write and run what HBO Max (as the streaming service was then called) was picturing its most expensive series to date, a space-set ‘Green Lantern’ drama whose focus would be the Alan Scott and Guy Gardner iterations of the character among the first and most popular versions.

‘Lanterns’ will follow the Hal Jordan and John Stewart characters, as new recruit Stewart and Lantern legend Jordan are described in the latest official synopsis as “two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.” So, think ‘True Detective’ meets ‘Green Lantern’…

Related Article: Kyle Chandler is Now in Talks for the Role of Hal Jordan in ‘Lanterns’

Who is working on ‘Lanterns’?

Jodie Foster in HBO’s ‘True Detective: Night Country.’ Photo: Michele K. Short/HBO.

Chris Mundy, whose resume includes stints on Netflix’s ‘Ozark’ and HBO’s ‘True Detective: Night Country’, is showrunner on the new series, working alongside ‘Watchmen’s Damon Lindelof and DC comics writer Tom King (whose ‘Supergirl’ comic is the basis for the new movie featuring the character).

And James Hawes, who has worked on series including ‘Black Mirror’ ‘Snowpiercer’ and Season 1 of ‘Slow Horses,’ will direct the first two episodes.

When will ‘Lanterns’ be on screens?

DC and HBO haven’t confirmed a release date for the show.

Green Lantern John Stewart in ‘Justice League’. Photo: DC Animation.

Other Green Lantern Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘Challenge of the Super Friends‘ (1978)
- ‘Justice League‘ (2001 – 2004)
- ‘Justice League Unlimited‘ (2004 – 2006)
- ‘Justice League: The New Frontier‘ (2008)
- ‘Green Lantern: First Flight‘ (2009)
- ‘Green Lantern‘ (2011)
- ‘Green Lantern: Emerald Knights‘ (2011)
- ‘Green Lantern: The Animated Series‘ (2011 – 2013)
- ‘Justice League: War‘ (2014)
- ‘Green Lantern: Beware My Power‘ (2022)
- ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League‘ (2021)
- ‘Superman‘ (2025)
Buy ‘Green Lantern’ Movies On Amazon
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October 9, 2024
Movie Review: ‘Rebel Ridge’
Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond in ‘Rebel Ridge’. Photo: Allyson Riggs/Netflix © 2024.

On Netflix on September 6th, ‘Rebel Ridge’ is the latest thriller from writer/director Jeremy Saulnier and focuses on a man with a particular set of skills who takes on some dangerous people with a righteous cause.

It’s a genre that has been tackled before, but Saulnier brings his own spin to it, with crackling dialogue and a superb central performance from ‘The Underground Railroad’s Aaron Pierre, backed by sterling support from Don Johnson.

Related Article: Don Johnson Talks Netflix’s ‘Rebel Ridge’ and Working with Aaron Pierre

Does ‘Rebel Ridge’ hit hard?

Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond in ‘Rebel Ridge’. Photo: Netflix © 2024.

If you’re a fan of Saulnier’s previous work such as ‘Green Room’ and ‘Blue Ruin,’ you might be surprised that ‘Rebel Ridge’ actually dials down the violence and intensity (but only by a certain degree) yet it still absolutely works on its own terms.

In tackling the sort of territory seen in ‘Walking Tall’ and even ‘Taken’, Saulnier finds a way to do it with smarts and some memorable dialogue, while employing his leading man in a role that should surely have other directors (and even a comic book franchise or two) calling.

Script and Direction

Director Jeremy Saulnier on the set of ‘Rebel Ridge’. Photo: Allyson Riggs/Netflix © 2024.

Saulnier knows how to make compelling movies that –– especially in the case of ‘Green Room’ –– also have you watching through your fingers at times. ‘Rebel Ridge’ doesn’t aspire to that, but it has its own charms. In his script for the new project, he’s crafted some truly superb conversations, but also doesn’t skimp when it comes time for things to throw down.

You’ll get plenty of pleasure just hearing the talented cast chew through the dialogue, military acronyms and all. It’s what keeps ‘Rebel Ridge’ above the quality level of straight-to-home entertainment movie that loves to exploit this genre.

Directorially, Saulnier brings his usual realistic style, eschewing too much showiness, but still keeping visual interest with the lush/grungy Louisiana backdrop (standing in for small towns where the sort of corruption found in the film is rife). And he’s certainly found a way to bring out the best in the entire cast, not just Pierre and Johnson.

Performances

While Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson and AnnaSophia Robb take the lion’s share of the credit here, the cast is filled with character types giving their all.

Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond

Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond in ‘Rebel Ridge’. Photo: Allyson Riggs/Netflix © 2024.

Pierre has offered some great performances already in his fledgling career, and it’s not hard to see why directors such as Barry Jenkins are looking to work with him on multiple occasions. And Terry Richmond might be among his best, a human hard man who prefers to use his words but has no problem letting his actions speak for him when he’s pushed to it.

Richmond is a buttoned-down character by nature (a Marine with some clearly morally gray background), but he makes him come alive in a way that is entirely believable. And when it’s time to throw down, Pierre –– and the stunt team –– is more than up to the task.

Don Johnson as Chief Sandy Burnne

(L to R) Don Johnson as Chief Sandy Burnne and Emory Cohen as Officer Steve Lann in ‘Rebel Ridge’. Photo: Allyson Riggs/Netflix © 2024.

A tough-talking, oft-spitting police chief whose down-home charisma hides racist attitudes and criminal behavior, Johnson’s Chief Burnne could have been a complete cliché. But in Saulnier and the actor’s hands, he’s so much more than that, and scenes where Johnson and Pierre go toe-to-toe verbally are always great.

AnnaSophia Robb as Summer McBride

AnnaSophia Robb as Summer McBride in ‘Rebel Ridge’. Photo: Netflix © 2024.

In other hands, Summer could have been a throwaway, underwritten female sidekick/victim role. But while she sometimes flirts with those labels, Saulnier has added plenty of depth to the character, who has her own tough background and issues that she must overcome to aid in Richmond’s mission.

She’s far from a random screaming love interest (the pair shares a strictly platonic relationship) and is a fully rounded character.

James Cromwell as the Judge

Cromwell’s role is smaller by design, but he’s still a memorable part of the movie. Playing the town’s judge who is involved in some of its dodgier dealings, the actor brings depth and tragedy to the role, and even though he only has a couple of scenes, he makes a mark.
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Supporting cast

The ensemble is filled with people who know how to do a lot with smaller character roles, such as Steve Zissis and David Denman (as a down-at-heel court clerk and a local cop who has more integrity than it might initially appear), and Saulnier has chosen wisely for pretty much every part. Emory Cohen is great as one of his colleagues, who deploys casual racism, while Daniel Chung, Dana Lee and Zsane Jhe all get their moments in the cinematic sun.

Final Thoughts

(L to R) Zsané Jhé as Officer Jessica Sims and Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond in ‘Rebel Ridge’. Photo: Netflix © 2024.

This represents a shift in gear from Saulnier, but it’s also up there with some of his best films. It might at first appear like the sort of movie you’ve seen before, but ‘Rebel Ridge’ is certainly more memorable than a hundred pumped-out thrillers.

With its fascinating protagonist and its excellent cadre of realistic villains, ‘Rebel Ridge’ is more than worth your time.

‘Rebel Ridge’ receives 8 out of 10 stars.
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What is the plot of ‘Rebel Ridge’?

In the town of Shelby Springs, Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) has come to post bail for his cousin, but his savings are unjustly seized by a corrupt local police force led by Chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson). With the help of court clerk Summer McBride (AnnaSophia Robb), Terry unearths a widespread conspiracy within Shelby Springs and uses his set of “skills” to get the bail money back by any means necessary.

Who is in the cast of ‘Rebel Ridge’?
- Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond
- Don Johnson as Chief Sandy Burnne
- AnnaSophia Robb as Summer McBride
- David Denman as Officer Evan Marston
- Emory Cohen as Officer Steve Lann
- Steve Zissis as Elliot
- James Cromwell as Judge
(L to R) Don Johnson as Chief Sandy Burnne and Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond in ‘Rebel Ridge’. Photo: Allyson Riggs/Netflix © 2024.

Don Johnson Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘Miami Vice‘ (1984 – 1989)
- ‘G.I. Joe: The Movie‘ (1987)
- ‘Dead Bang‘ (1989)
- ‘The Hot Spot‘ (1990)
- ‘Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man‘ (1991)
- ‘Born Yesterday‘ (1993)
- ‘Guilty as Sin‘ (1993)
- ‘Tin Cup‘ (1996)
- ‘Nash Bridges‘ (1996 – 2001)
- ‘Machete‘ (2010)
- ‘Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star‘ (2011)
- ‘Django Unchained‘ (2012)
- ‘The Other Woman‘ (2014)
- ‘Brawl in Cell Block 99‘ (2017)
- ‘Book Club‘ (2018)
- ‘Knives Out‘ (2019)
- ‘Watchmen‘ (2019)
- ‘Nash Bridges‘ (2021)
- ‘Kenan‘ (2021 – 2022)
- ‘High Heat‘ (2022)
- ‘Book Club: The Next Chapter‘ (2023)
- ‘The Collective‘ (2023)
Buy Don Johnson Movies on Amazon

To watch our interviews with the cast of ‘Rebel Ridge’, please click on the video player below.
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September 7, 2024
‘Rebel Ridge’ Exclusive Interview: Don Johnson
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Premiering on Netflix September 6th is the new action thriller ‘Rebel Ridge’, which was directed by Jeremy Saulnier (‘Blue Ruin’), and stars Aaron Pierre (‘Old’), AnnaSophia Robb (‘Soul Surfer’), David Denman (‘The Equalizer 3’), Emory Cohen (‘Shot Caller’), James Cromwell (‘L.A. Confidential’) and Don Johnson (‘Miami Vice’ and ‘Knives Out’).

Related Article: ‘Silicon Valley’s Chris Diamantopoulos Talks Action Comedy ‘High Heat’

Don Johnson stars in Netflix’s ‘Rebel Ridge’.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with legendary actor Don Johnson about his work on ‘Rebel Ridge’, his first reaction to the screenplay, his character, playing the villain, working with actor Aaron Pierre and collaborating on the set with director Jeremy Saulnier.

You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Johnson, Aaron Pierre and AnnaSophia Robb.

(L to R) Don Johnson as Chief Sandy Burnne and Emory Cohen as Officer Steve Lann in ‘Rebel Ridge’. Photo: Allyson Riggs/Netflix © 2024.

Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction to reading the screenplay and why did you want to be a part of this project?

Don Johnson: My first reaction was that I had the opportunity to work with the great Jeremy Saulnier, and then when I read the material. I was at once excited and a touch trepidatious, only because I wanted to make sure that the first part of the movie didn’t become what the movie was about, an old familiar trope. I was so pleasantly pleased to see that it was not that, but it was a very clever way of using something where you think you know, and then suddenly, something starts, and you don’t know. But now you’re learning and now you’re wrapped up in it and now you’re rolling, and you’re into this world where you go, “Wow, this is in America?” So, I was thrilled with that. I was just thrilled with the opportunity to get to play that part and to work with Jeremy.

(L to R) Don Johnson as Chief Sandy Burnne and Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond in ‘Rebel Ridge’. Photo: Allyson Riggs/Netflix © 2024.

MF: How would you describe your character in your own words and is it fun playing a villain?

DJ: Would you say Robin Hood was a villain? I don’t know. All my characters are good guys. He’s a no-nonsense guy, Sheriff Sandy Burnne, and he’s been given a responsibility, and he’s managing that responsibility the only way he knows how.

Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond in ‘Rebel Ridge’. Photo: Allyson Riggs/Netflix © 2024.

MF: Can you talk about the conflict between Chief Burnne and Terry Richmond and what it was like working with actor Aaron Pierre?

DJ: Well, in the Sheriff’s mind, there was no conflict. This is just business as usual. It only becomes a conflict when this very mysterious big guy (arrives). He’s 6’4″ and ripped. If I was to tell the truth, he might be able to kick my ass if I couldn’t find something to hit him with. I loved working with Aaron because he’s a wonderful actor, wonderful actor, and we have similar sensibilities about how we approach our work. It was very easy for Jeremy and Aaron and I to find a tone that we wanted and to commit to it. It’s a hell of a commitment because if you miss, you miss badly. But if you hit it, you get ‘Rebel Ridge’.

Director Jeremy Saulnier on the set of ‘Rebel Ridge’. Photo: Allyson Riggs/Netflix © 2024.

MF: Finally, what was it like collaborating on the set with director Jeremy Saulnier?

DJ: You’re asking a mixed bag of emotions. We’re not going to go on a cruise together, but we worked together very well as director and actor. But when you’re in a collaborative relationship with somebody, and I love Jeremy, and I think he’d say the same thing about me, you lock horns and you argue and battle about stuff, and that’s when you know somebody is invested in the stuff. You don’t want a director who’s going to just yes you to death. You want somebody to say, “I don’t know that I see it that way. Let’s talk about that.” And we did. Unlike a lot of conversations with directors, I think we found the right tone together throughout.
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What is the plot of ‘Rebel Ridge’?

In the town of Shelby Springs, Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) has come to post bail for his cousin, but his savings are unjustly seized by a corrupt local police force led by Chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson). With the help of court clerk Summer McBride (AnnaSophia Robb), Terry unearths a widespread conspiracy within Shelby Springs and uses his set of “skills” to get the bail money back by any means necessary.

Who is in the cast of ‘Rebel Ridge’?
- Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond
- Don Johnson as Chief Sandy Burnne
- AnnaSophia Robb as Summer McBride
- David Denman as Officer Evan Marston
- Emory Cohen as Officer Steve Lann
- Steve Zissis as Elliot
- James Cromwell as Judge
Aaron Pierre as Terry Richmond in ‘Rebel Ridge’. Photo: Allyson Riggs/Netflix © 2024.

Don Johnson Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘Miami Vice‘ (1984 – 1989)
- ‘G.I. Joe: The Movie‘ (1987)
- ‘Dead Bang‘ (1989)
- ‘The Hot Spot‘ (1990)
- ‘Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man‘ (1991)
- ‘Born Yesterday‘ (1993)
- ‘Guilty as Sin‘ (1993)
- ‘Tin Cup‘ (1996)
- ‘Nash Bridges‘ (1996 – 2001)
- ‘Machete‘ (2010)
- ‘Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star‘ (2011)
- ‘Django Unchained‘ (2012)
- ‘The Other Woman‘ (2014)
- ‘Brawl in Cell Block 99‘ (2017)
- ‘Book Club‘ (2018)
- ‘Knives Out‘ (2019)
- ‘Watchmen‘ (2019)
- ‘Nash Bridges‘ (2021)
- ‘Kenan‘ (2021 – 2022)
- ‘High Heat‘ (2022)
- ‘Book Club: The Next Chapter‘ (2023)
- ‘The Collective‘ (2023)
Buy Don Johnson Movies on Amazon
September 4, 2024
‘Genius: MLK/X’ Interview: Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Aaron Pierre
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Premiering February 1st on National Geographic, and streaming February 2nd on Disney+ and Hulu, with the first episode also airing on ABC February 1st is the fourth season of the anthology series ‘Genius,’ which is entitled ‘Genius: MLK/X’ and follows the lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, played by Kelvin Harrison Jr. (‘Chevalier’) and Aaron Pierre (‘Old’), respectively.

(L to R) Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Aaron Pierre talk ‘Genius: MLK/X.’

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Aaron Pierre about their work on ‘Genius: MLK/X,’ taking on the iconic roles, their approach, their research, and exploring their characters’ private lives.

You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Harrison Jr., Pierre, Weruche Opia, Jayme Lawson, and executive producers Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Rock Bythewood.

Related Article: Kelvin Harrison Jr. Talks ‘Chevalier’ and Director Stephen Williams

Martin Luther King Jr., played by Kelvin Harrison Jr., preaches in ‘Genius: MLK/X.’ Photo: National Geographic/Richard DuCree.

Moviefone: To begin with, Kelvin, can you talk about your approach to playing this character and how do you prepare to play someone as iconic as Martin Luther King Jr.?

Kelvin Harrison Jr.: I think it starts with, at least for me, I started looking at interviews, and I just wanted to get a sense of his energy, how he spoke and anything I was picking up now that I was paying a different attention to it. We watch it as a viewer and we watch it as a citizen of America, as a young black man and that’s one thing, but as someone that’s about to embark on this experience to internalize what this man’s existence is, is a completely different thing so that was my first thing. Then the next step was reading his autobiography, reading all the books he wrote, while also traveling to Memphis and Birmingham and Atlanta and his hometown and D.C., and any place I can get my hands on in the little amount of time I had to prepare. After that, it became an investigation of myself, what it meant to be all these different ages, what it meant to deal with anxiety, imposter syndrome, fear, love, and fathers. That’s a whole thing and I love to explore the dynamics between a father and a son, that’s specific. I just took it all in and saw what came out of me. Obviously, there’s the technical stuff, seeing work and dialect coaching but that’s the boring stuff.

Malcolm X, played by Aaron Pierre, is escorted from Temple in ‘Genius: MLK/X.’ Photo: National Geographic/Richard DuCree.

MF: Aaron, how did you prepare to play Malcolm X and did you learn anything during your research that really informed your performance?

Aaron Pierre: Similarly, to what Kelvin said just here, it was step one as it was the extensive research. It was reading, again, the autobiography, reading ‘The Sword and the Shield’ by Peniel E. Joseph, reading Dr. Betty Shabazz‘s perspective, watching the documentary, watching the footage we have of him on panels, interviews and speeches. That was particularly important for me because I feel like arguably there is a lot of misinformation about Malcolm X, and I wanted to find information that was as close to the source as possible. What I mean by that is I wanted to hear from him himself in his autobiography, dictated to Alex Haley. I wanted to hear from those closest to him. I wanted to hear from his community first. Then, again, the same way Kelvin experienced going to these different states that meant something particular to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, I was in New York, I was in Harlem, and I was in Washington Heights. I love New York, I love Harlem, and I love Washington Heights. I loved having the opportunity, the privilege to walk around there, to breathe that air, to experience that experience and it informed me so greatly and deeply. I felt empowered by going to these beautiful places and inspired to do my best to portray Malcolm X to the very best of my capabilities and serve his story, and serve his legacy.

Malcolm X, played by Aaron Pierre, preaches in ‘Genius: MLK/X.’ Photo: National Geographic/Richard DuCree.

MF: To follow up, Aaron can you give one example of a misconception about Malcolm X that you wanted to set straight with this movie?

AP: I think for me, this is of course subjective, this is my personal viewpoint, but I think a common misconception is that he led with violence. The reality is that he led with love, and he led with light. The physical aspect of his dialect and his approach was in direct response to your personal wellbeing, livelihood and safety being directly threatened physically. He was advocating for protecting that, he was advocating for preserving that, he was advocating for safeguarding the dignity and the integrity of that. It wasn’t actively seeking violence and actively seeking physical engagement. It was, God forbid should that present itself, we have the right to defend that. That came from a deep love for his people and his community. I think that’s something that I hope people will gain insight to and after that take the lead to do deeper research themselves into. There’s only so much we can explore in this series, but I’m hopeful that this will inspire people to go and do their own research and get a deeper understanding.

(L to R) Martin Luther King Jr., played by Kelvin Harrison Jr., and Coretta Scott King, played by Weruche Opia, in ‘Genius: MLK/X.’ Photo: National Geographic/Richard DuCree.

MF: Finally, Kelvin, can you talk about how the series also explores the private lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X and examines their marriages?

KH Jr.: I mean, listen, these men would’ve been nothing really without these women. Their intelligence is equal to these men’s intelligence. Their passion, their commitment, their integrity for this calling for the people and humanity is huge. I use the example a lot of Vietnam because I think that’s one that’s so clear is Coretta (Scott King) was the one. She was like, “We’re humanitarians and yet in our own country, there is an injustice happening with this Vietnam War. What are we going to do? How do we say we want equality and justice for all people, and we want everyone to be safe and to be taken care of, yet we’re allowing this atrocity to kind of take place?” So, she does that, she speaks out and this inspired him. She supports him even when he’s put in hot water because of it. She redirects his path every step of the way, she re-inspires him, and she holds him accountable for what he said he’s set out to do. I think it’s such a beautiful opportunity for us to give a little backstory into who they were as well as how they got to meet these men, how they built their strength and who are the people surrounding them that put this fire inside them to do what this moment, why are we even making this show right now. It would be an injustice to not speak about them. In some ways, it’s kind of like this show is about them. The reason, once again, that we’re talking about them today is because 60 years ago was the March on Washington, and we’re still talking about it because they led those legacies on and on. They’ve been keeping it alive. For twice their lifetime, these men. You know what I mean? We’re talking about men who died. I mean, that’s one of the beautiful things about the show, and that’s one of the things I’m most proud of, that we get to be a part of.

(L to R) Martin Luther King Jr., played by Kelvin Harrison Jr., and Ralph Abernathy, played by Hubert Point-Du Jour, in ‘Genius: MLK/X.’ Photo: National Geographic/Richard DuCree.

What is the Plot of ‘Genius: MLK/X’?

The series explores simultaneously the formative years, pioneering accomplishments, dueling philosophies and key personal relationships of both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Malcolm X (Aaron Pierre). While King advanced racial equality through nonviolent activism, X advocated for Black empowerment, identity and self-determination. The eight-part series also brings their wives, Coretta Scott King (Weruche Opia) and Betty Shabazz (Jayme Lawson), to the forefront and shows them as formidable equals of the Movement. While King and X met only once and often challenged each other’s views, the two visionaries, with their wives leading by their sides, ultimately rose to pioneer a movement that lives on today.

Who is in the Cast of ‘Genius: MLK/X’?
- Kelvin Harrison Jr. (‘Cyrano‘) as Martin Luther King Jr.
- Jalyn Hall (‘Till‘) as young Martin Luther King Jr.
- Aaron Pierre (‘Foe‘) as Malcolm X
- Weruche Opia (‘Slumberland‘) as Coretta Scott King
- Jayme Lawson (‘The Batman‘) as Betty Shabazz
- Ron Cephas Jones (‘Half Nelson‘) as Elijah Muhammad
- Lennie James (‘Snatch‘) as Martin Luther King Sr.
- LisaGay Hamilton (‘Jackie Brown‘) as Alberta Williams King
- Donal Logue (‘Blade‘) as Strom Thurmond
Malcolm X, played by Aaron Pierre, preaches in ‘Genius: MLK/X.’ Photo: National Geographic/Richard DuCree.

Other Movies Similar to ‘Genius: MLK/X’:
- ‘Malcolm X‘ (1972)
- ‘Death of a Prophet‘ (1981)
- ‘Malcolm X‘ (1992)
- ‘Boycott‘ (2001)
- ‘Ali‘ (2001)
- ‘Selma‘ (2015)
- ‘All the Way‘ (2016)
- ‘Rustin‘ (2023)
Buy Kelvin Harrison Jr. Movies on Amazon
January 30, 2024
Director Bassam Tariq Departs Marvel’s ‘Blade’

Blade from Marvel Comics. Photo courtesy of Marvel.com.

Up until now, it has been mostly smooth sailing for the planned MCU debut of Blade to this point – star Mahershala Ali was announced as the star as a surprise at the end of Marvel’s 2019 San Diego Comic-Con panel.

Roughly two years later, Bassam Tariq was hired to direct the movie and with Stacy Osei-Kuffour on board to write the script, the movie was headed towards a shoot planned for late this year and a November 3rd, 2023, release date.

But the forward momentum has come to a sudden and grinding halt with the departure of Tariq. As opposed to the usual “creative differences”, the official story is scheduling issues.

“Due to continued shifts in our production schedule, Bassam is no longer moving forward as director of ‘Blade’ but will remain an executive producer on the film,” Marvel said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “We appreciate Bassam’s talent and all the work he’s done getting ‘Blade’ to where it is.”

“It’s been an honor working with the wonderful folks at Marvel,” Tariq said in his own statement. “We were able to put together a killer cast and crew. Eager to see where the next director takes the film.”

Blade, created for Marvel Comics by writer Marv Wolfman and penciller Gene Colan, first appeared as a supporting character in ‘The Tomb of Dracula #10’, published July 1973. He was popular enough to merit his own solo storylines and was particularly memorable during the 1990s.

Marvel Studios’ ‘Blade.’

Originally crafted as a human who was immune to vampire bites, he was later changed to Eric Cross Brooks, whose mother is murdered by the bloodsucker Deacon Frost as she gives birth. The attack passes on vampire enzymes to her child, who becomes a Dhampir – a mix of both human and vampire.

Gifted with speed, strength, and the ability to walk in the daylight (hence his other name, the Daywalker), his mission is to hunt down and destroy vampires. In his time, he’s crossed paths with many notable Marvel characters in the comics, including Spider-Man and the Avengers. He’s also battled living vampire Morbius, who had his own movie out earlier this year, starring Jared Leto.

Yet Blade is probably most famous for the trilogy of movies released by New Line in 1998, 2002 and 2004, starring Wesley Snipes as the gruff, sword-swinging character.

The MCU version’s story is so far a mystery: whether it’ll deal with Blade’s origins is unknown for now, but we can expect plenty of vampire-killing action. The cast around Ali includes Delroy Lindo and Aaron Pierre.

According to the Reporter’s story, production on the movie has been shifted at least a couple of times, the filmmakers requiring several script revisions, with Beau DeMayo, a veteran of Marvel’s ‘Moon Knight’ on Disney+, the latest writer mentioned.

Kevin Feige and co. are now looking for a new director to handle the film. Whether it keeps that planned November 2023 release date remains to be seen. We may have to wait a little longer than planned to get any more Blade appearances beyond Ali’s quick voice cameo in the ‘Eternals’ post-credit sting.

Marvel Studios’ ‘Blade.’
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September 28, 2022
Marvel’s ‘Blade’ Adds Aaron Pierre

Aaron Pierre in Amazon Prime Video’s ‘The Underground Railroad.’

Though Marvel Studios and Disney are – as expected – keeping most of the details locked in a coffin somewhere, we are at least starting to learn about who will be in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s ‘Blade’ movie alongside star Mahershala Ali. The latest addition is Aaron Pierre.

‘Blade’, which was announced as a surprise at the tail end of Marvel’s 2019 panel at the San Diego Comic-Con represents the MCU bringing the half-human, half-vampire warrior into its fold. Ali has, though, already popped up for a vocal cameo during one of ‘Eternals’ end credits sequences.

Blade, created for Marvel Comics by writer Marv Wolfman and penciller Gene Colan, first appeared as a supporting character in ‘The Tomb of Dracula #10’, published July 1973. He was popular enough to merit his own solo storylines and was particularly memorable during the 1990s.

Originally crafted as a human who was immune to vampire bites, he was later changed to Eric Cross Brooks, whose mother is murdered by the bloodsucker Deacon Frost as she gives birth. The attack passes on vampire enzymes to her child, who becomes a Dhampir – a mix of both human and vampire.

Gifted with speed, strength, and the ability to walk in the daylight (hence his other name, the Daywalker), his mission is to hunt down and destroy vampires. In his time, he’s crossed paths with many notable Marvel characters in the comics, including Spider-Man and the Avengers. He’s also battled living vampire ‘Morbius,’ who has his own movie due from Sony on April 1, starring Jared Leto.

Marvel Studios’ ‘Blade.’

Yet ‘Blade‘ is probably most famous for the trilogy of movies released by New Line in 1998, 2002 and 2004, starring Wesley Snipes as the gruff, sword-swinging character. While ‘Blade II’, directed by Guillermo del Toro, is regarded as the best of the three, the original does boast this endlessly quotable line. Snipes has become identified with the character, and even cameoed as him via Skype in an episode of vampire comedy series ‘What We Do in the Shadows’.

While some fans had campaigned for Snipes to stay on in the role, Marvel Studios has traditionally gone in a new route with its casting for characters played by other actors. Though given the multiverse use in recent Marvel movies, there’s always the chance he could be back in the future.

With two-time Oscar winner Ali as Blade, we also know that Delroy Lindo has a role in the new movie, though his character is still a secret for now. Likewise, Pierre, whose casting was reported by Deadline, is a mystery.

The actor is probably best known to date for playing rapper (and worried beachgoer) Mid-Size Sedan in M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Old’ but has also worked on TV series including ‘Krypton’ and ‘The Underground Railroad’ created by writer/director Barry Jenkins. Pierre will reunite with the filmmaker to voice a young Mustafa in the ‘Lion King’ prequel movie. He’s also part of the cast for Garth Davies’ sci-fi movie ‘Foe’.

‘Blade’, which has ‘Mogul Mowgli’ director Bassam Tariq preparing to call the shots and ‘Watchmen’ TV veteran Stacy Osei-Kuffour writing the script, has yet to reveal a release date, though it may well emerge next year.
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February 24, 2022