XXX2's Vin vs. Ice debate heats up
Still, Cube's relaxed about replacing the bald one for sequel
Jamie Portman
CanWest News Service
Wednesday, April 21, 2004
The decision to cast Ice Cube as the star of the new XXX sequel has touched off a furor among fans of the original film and of bald-headed, gravel-voiced, muscle-flexing Vin Diesel's performance.
The Internet has been alive with expressions of anguish over Diesel's departure from the series and the arrival of Cube.
"Ice Cube will ruin the franchise!" complains one Diesel admirer, accusing Cube of simply being "a rapper who can act well" and warning that he will "bring too much attitude" and turn XXX2: State of the Union into "a hip-hop oriented film."
But it also turns out that a lot of moviegoers hated the first XXX and also Diesel's contribution. Typical comment: "The first one was so bad that I wanted to jump off a high building or push Vin Diesel out of one. The film is crap and should not spawn a sequel. It's a complete rip-off of spy films and it should go to hell." Another comment: "XXX was the stupidest movie ever with one of the worst actors ever." Also this: "I would rather see Ice Cube running around in circles, pulling his gat out of his pants and shooting people for 90 minutes than see Vin Diesel skiing down a mountain."
Meanwhile, Ice Cube himself is surprisingly relaxed about the whole thing. He simply sees the new movie as a further opportunity to demonstrate his versatility as an actor.
"We're still working on it," Cube says. "We want to make sure the role is tailor-made for me. We're not trying to do a version of what Vin did."
Diesel's Xander Cage character has been retired in favour of new XXX agent Darius Stone, played by Ice Cube. He finds himself up to his neck in a power struggle involving the political leadership in Washington. The cast also includes Willem Dafoe and Samuel L. Jackson, and the director is Lee Tamahori (Die Another Day).
Cube, star of the Barbershop movies, is serious about his acting career, and credits director John Singleton for taking a chance with him 13 years ago by casting him in Boyz 'n the Hood.
"I owe everything to John Singleton. He's the reason I'm here today on this acting side of the fence. He worked with me, he believed in me and never wavered."
Although the new XXX movie will be a thriller, Cube also enjoys doing comedy. He's been in Vancouver shooting Are We There Yet? with Nia Long and Jay Mohr.
"I play a bachelor who hates kids. I like Nia Long, but she's divorced with two kids. We have to drive from one place to another -- it's like Road Trip -- and the kids hate my guts."
© The Vancouver Province 2004
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Let us be honest: we need xXx 2 just as much the Sahara needs a new load of sand. Nuff said, awaiting your comments :D
Still, Cube's relaxed about replacing the bald one for sequel
Jamie Portman
CanWest News Service
Wednesday, April 21, 2004
The decision to cast Ice Cube as the star of the new XXX sequel has touched off a furor among fans of the original film and of bald-headed, gravel-voiced, muscle-flexing Vin Diesel's performance.
The Internet has been alive with expressions of anguish over Diesel's departure from the series and the arrival of Cube.
"Ice Cube will ruin the franchise!" complains one Diesel admirer, accusing Cube of simply being "a rapper who can act well" and warning that he will "bring too much attitude" and turn XXX2: State of the Union into "a hip-hop oriented film."
But it also turns out that a lot of moviegoers hated the first XXX and also Diesel's contribution. Typical comment: "The first one was so bad that I wanted to jump off a high building or push Vin Diesel out of one. The film is crap and should not spawn a sequel. It's a complete rip-off of spy films and it should go to hell." Another comment: "XXX was the stupidest movie ever with one of the worst actors ever." Also this: "I would rather see Ice Cube running around in circles, pulling his gat out of his pants and shooting people for 90 minutes than see Vin Diesel skiing down a mountain."
Meanwhile, Ice Cube himself is surprisingly relaxed about the whole thing. He simply sees the new movie as a further opportunity to demonstrate his versatility as an actor.
"We're still working on it," Cube says. "We want to make sure the role is tailor-made for me. We're not trying to do a version of what Vin did."
Diesel's Xander Cage character has been retired in favour of new XXX agent Darius Stone, played by Ice Cube. He finds himself up to his neck in a power struggle involving the political leadership in Washington. The cast also includes Willem Dafoe and Samuel L. Jackson, and the director is Lee Tamahori (Die Another Day).
Cube, star of the Barbershop movies, is serious about his acting career, and credits director John Singleton for taking a chance with him 13 years ago by casting him in Boyz 'n the Hood.
"I owe everything to John Singleton. He's the reason I'm here today on this acting side of the fence. He worked with me, he believed in me and never wavered."
Although the new XXX movie will be a thriller, Cube also enjoys doing comedy. He's been in Vancouver shooting Are We There Yet? with Nia Long and Jay Mohr.
"I play a bachelor who hates kids. I like Nia Long, but she's divorced with two kids. We have to drive from one place to another -- it's like Road Trip -- and the kids hate my guts."
© The Vancouver Province 2004
--------------------------------
Let us be honest: we need xXx 2 just as much the Sahara needs a new load of sand. Nuff said, awaiting your comments :D
