| Interview: Martin Lawrence on 'Welcomes Home Roscoe Jenkins'! |
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| Saturday, 16 February 2008 | |
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Martin Lawrence: it's always going to be relevant. It’s something that you know anything…I had to cut you off when you said that…is it relevant…. its always going to be relevant, but it’s just you know…we black people we deserve all the wonderful things that put us in a good life, you know and if it was up to me it wouldn’t just be the month it would be year round everyday and uh that we get recognition for what we do and who we are.
And I’ve got one more, can you tell use your ultimate favorite party song?
Martin Lawrence: My ultimate party song, uh let's see…(sings) my girl wants to party all the time, party all the time…(laughter) no, I don’t know, I don’t know which one it is (laughs), it might be a Michael Jackson song cause Michael’s got a few of them so it might be a Michael Jackson…Billy jean, Beat it might be something like that.
This movie has a very sweet aspect, finding romance for 20 years back that your meant to maybe be with, so you really believe that that’s kind of true for people that you can connect years later?
Martin Lawrence: Yeah I believe that you can connect years later when you're not happy with the one that your with (everyone laughs) if you ain't happy with the one you with, you going to connect back with the old thing…WHY NOT…YEAH…YEAH!
Is there a movie that you would like people to see during black history month that you feel like…
Martin Lawrence: Just see whatever’s possible, I just, you know…
You don’t have a special…
Martin Lawrence: No, no…"Eye on the Prize”…I would encourage everybody to watch that series…”Eye on the Prize.”
This movie has a great comedy aspect…
Martin Lawrence: Yes
Would you continually do that or…
Martin Lawrence: No I think that Malcolm Lee intentionally did that you know he’d have a very close relationship with his father and things so yeah that was meant to be, and I think it’s what makes the move special. That’s the relationship that if you had with your father, to see that relationship mend together, to come together we would all want that.
We asked Monique and Mike Epps if you ever get over those things in childhood, if you ever can get past them?
Martin Lawrence: Yeah if you got people around you that love you and support you and can help you to get past it yeah…first and foremost God can help you get past anything.
Black and white movie audiences don’t always respond the same way, there’s no reason they should, and at the same time every body’s got a family, so I’m wondering do you think there’s a white audience that think about things like that?
Martin Lawrence: Oh no question, this is not just a black movie for a black audience this is a movie for everybody, it’s a movie about family…and the subject matter is not difficult I mean it's about a young guy that hasn’t been home in 9 years and his relationship with his family, and his relationship most importantly with his father is south, so there’s no color on that, that could happen to anybody.
I wanted you to talk about your body of work you still…sometimes to people, you might throw people off (Martin Lawrence laughs)…
Martin Lawrence: I can guarantee you that my breath don’t stink, you know why my breath don’t stink, 'cause I can afford some mints now
I think the beauty of that is you're still a young man, and in your life you have a valuable court, could you just talk about that and how it feels for you?
Martin Lawrence: It feels great, I been doing it probably 20 years or more, I thank God after everything I've been through in my life to be in this position and this business after everything I've been though and seen and done I’m truly blessed and truly fortunate and I thank all my fans for supporting me through my tough times, support me through my good times, and continue to go see my movies, and hear me do stand up and things so I couldn’t be here if it weren’t for God for most and if it wasn’t for them. So I’m really proud of my opportunity and things that I’ve got to do and see and you know, having a movie come out every year and having to sit with you guys…(laughter) ain't that something…look how long we been seeing each other, you know what I mean, this is one big family, everybody hug come on (laughter) yeah and let it go.
A lot of comedic actors are always looking for that big dramatic role where they can kind of stretch themselves; I’m wondering do you have any aspirations of this one?
Martin Lawrence: If the right script came along I would love to try, I haven’t had the opportunity because I don’t get sent those kind of scripts, they never think of me for them for whatever reason I never get them, that’s why we have something like Roscoe Jenkins that allows me to have that kind of moment with James Earl Jones in the movie you know I’m proud of that moment, but if I ever get the opportunity I don’t think it wouldn’t even be about the money, it would be about something I feel I can honestly bring to you guys to show you that side.
Is there a real person or true story that means a lot to you?
Martin Lawrence: I just think it has to be something that is meaningful that I can honestly portray.
Is there a chance we are going to see you in any more concert films?
Martin Lawrence: I hope so, I really do, I want to do one more concert film. I love coming on stage and seeing that audience and getting that rush and all that, but I don’t want to force it you know I want to…You So Crazy was very special for me and I worked hard on them, I worked really hard to give you something and I want the 3rd one to be you know just as good as those were…
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins opens in theaters every where this Friday February 8th. |
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