Tyler Perry is the new Alex Cross. Really?
There is quote by Samuel Johnson that says, “A writer only begins a book. A reader finishes it.”
When the film adaptation of Kiss the Girls was released in 1997, I wasn’t pleased with the casting of Morgan Freeman as Alex Cross. I had always envisioned someone like Denzel Washington in the Cross role, especially after 1995, when he brilliantly brought “Easy” Rawlins to the screen in Devil in a Blue Dress. So brilliant in fact, his voice continues to serve as the narrator in my head when I am writing my own books. Later in 1999, Washington also portrayed quadriplegic detective, Lincoln Rhyme in The Bone Collector. So in a few short years, three of my favorite modern literary characters could have possibly been played by the same actor.
No good, especially if the movies spawn multiple sequels. So we go back to Morgan Freeman. Let me start by saying, I love Morgan Freeman. If I need someone to play God or be the sagely old man dispensing advise, he’s my man. He ain’t Alex Cross. Maybe thirty years ago, he could have been Alex Cross, but Morgan Freeman with his hair dyed black was still too old to play the part. I saw the movie and I didn’t hate it. In fact, he was one of only good things in the movie. He should have been name John, Charlie or Ben, but he wasn’t Alex Cross. Flash forward to 2001 and Along Came a Spider, the first Alex Cross novel. Again, Freeman did the best he could with material that would have felled a lesser talent. Still, Freeman is not Alex Cross.
As a writer, I know what my characters look like to me and I hope I make that clear to my readers. I start each book with certain aspects in my mind and its up to each individual to fill in the proper blanks. When we release books, we make a gift of our characters. As a fan, I want to see Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern and not comic book character ruining Ryan Reynolds (see Blade: Trinity, Wolverine: Origins, Green Lantern). But I also realize I may be at the mercy of a studio executive if I want to see my creation on the big screen.
That being said-
I NEVER EVER WANT TYLER PERRY CAST IF ANY OF MY BOOKS BECOME MOVIES!!!!!
I realize I am probably the only black person in the world, apart from Spike Lee, who does not worship at the temple of Perry and Madea, and I am perfectly fine with that. As long as he wants to make movies with one dimensional characters who show no development until the film’s resolution, that’s fine with me. If he wants to write movies filled with stereotypes and produce “message” movies that are a subtle as an 800 pound gorilla, go right ahead. If it makes him happy to make movies with plot holes big enough to drive his enormous ego through, go ahead. Black folk will line up in droves to see it. I’ll ever give you the next title, Tyler Perry presents – Madea: I’m back for more Cash.
I’m sure Perry is not a bad guy. In fact, I admire his story and the hardships he overcame. That does not get him a pass for producing bad material. That bad material is one reason why he shouldn’t have been allowed to even be in the same room when they were casting for the new Alex Cross movie. The second reason?
Alex Cross does not wear a dress!
Many actors have found success dressing in drag (see Dustin Hoffman, Martin Lawrence, Flip Wilson, Jamie Foxx, Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes). The thing that sets these actors apart is that they were successful BEFORE they donned dresses, not BECAUSE of it. Even if these actors may have used their female alter egos as springboards, they had the skill and perseverance and good sense to leave them in the past.
Can you mention Tyler Perry’s name without thinking of or mentioning Madea? I didn’t like the idea when I first heard about it, but I was willing to give it a chance. As with the previous Cross movies, maybe Perry could shine, even though it seems that whenever the roles don’t require him to wear a dress, he still seems to fall short (Good Deeds, Why Did I Get Married 1& 2). My feelings were cemented when I saw the trailer for the Alex Cross movie. He doesn’t look like Alex Cross. He doesn’t sound like Alex Cross. He doesn’t even look right holding a gun. Every few seconds, I was waiting for one of his Madea catch phrases. Oh hell-to-the-no! Was James Patterson too busy counting his money to have any say about the casting? Did they consult Tom Cruise about playing a role outside of your range (see Jack Reecher movie)? Finally was Rupaul too busy filming the next season of Drag Race to be up for the part?
Can you please ask Morgan Freeman to come back? I changed my mind. Maybe he wasn’t so bad. Maybe he can be Alex Cross.
Where is Idris Elba when I need him?
