Samuel L. Jackson is one of the few living actors with his level of fame and longevity in the industry. Over the course of his career, which began in the late 1970s, the 73-year-old starred in over a hundred films.
Jackson has made an indelible mark on the film industry with a resume that includes classics such as Pulp Fiction, The Hateful Eight, and Snakes on a Plane. His films have made a whopping $27 billion at the box office worldwide, making him one of Hollywood’s most marketable stars.
But there was a defining moment in Jackson’s otherwise spectacular career. A part in Jim Sheridan’s cult classic Get Rich or Die Tryin’ from 2005 was offered to him, but he declined. So why is that? Jackson suspected that the director was trying to use him to give the debut of rapper 50 Cent as an actor more gravitas.
Get Rich or Die Tryin’ Without Samuel L. Jackson
Rapper 50 Cent stars as Marcus in the crime drama Get Rich or Die Tryin’. The film follows Marcus, a young man who must learn to survive independently in a dangerous New York neighborhood after his mother dies.
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Marcus’s injury in prison is the turning point that causes him to abandon his descent into drug abuse and criminal activity to pursue his lifelong passion for music. The film’s story of perseverance and redemption is inspired by 50 Cent’s life story.
Jim Sheridan, director of such critically acclaimed films as My Left Foot and In the Name of the Father, was hired to helm Get Rich or Die Tryin’. When he approached Samuel L. Jackson about playing Levar, a local crime lord in the story, Sheridan had already begun filming.
Jackson, however, turned down the offer, explaining that he was hesitant to work with 50 Cent because of the rapper’s lack of acting experience at the time. According to reports, Jackson had reservations about Sheridan using his reputation to help 50 Cent’s acting career get off the ground.
Jackson was unwilling to lower his standards after building a successful career based on his talent and dedication to his craft. It seemed to him that the director wasn’t paying much attention to 50 Cent’s acting skills and instead was counting on his presence to boost the rapper’s performance.
Since Jackson was no longer available, Sheridan cast Billy Duke as Levar, who had previously appeared in Commando and Predator. In November 2005, Get Rich or Die Tryin’ debuted without Samuel L. Jackson. Viola Davis and Terrence Howard, who would go on to greater fame and success, were among the film’s cast.
The Reception of Get Rich or Die Tryin’
Reviewers panned the film, and some even questioned why Sheridan had put his name on it. According to Film Focus critic Joe Utichi, the film’s “real danger is that it sets a precedent for the director; if the price is right, he’s on board.”
The film’s fate was jeopardized after receiving mixed reviews and doubts about 50 Cent’s acting abilities. Despite negative reviews, Get Rich or Die Tryin’ made back its $40 million production budget at the box office (after taking in about $47 million).
Many were skeptical of 50 Cent’s ability to transition from music to film, but he surprised everyone with a captivating performance in his first film role. Ironically, the following year, Samuel L. Jackson and 50 Cent would collaborate on the song Home of the Brave.
Samuel L. Jackson showed his dedication to quality and refusal to compromise his standards by turning down a role in Get Rich or Die Tryin’ because of his reservations about 50 Cent’s acting abilities.
Source: The Things
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