"Men of Honor": Cuba Gooding Jr. Interview
By Robert Nuñez, Special to Hollywood.com
|
Monday, October 15, 2001
Cuba Gooding Jr. as the Navy diver Carl Brashear in "Men of Honor." |
TORONTO, Canada, Nov. 9, 2000 -- Cuba Gooding Jr., star of "Jerry Maguire"
Carl (Cuba Gooding Jr.) stands up to Billy (Robert De Niro) in 'Men of Honor.'
and Pepsi commercials and the highlight of any awards show, is beaming about his new role in "Men of Honor." Cuba dives into the real-life role of Navy Master diver Carl Brashear, who endured racism, physical violence and the loss of a leg.
The 32-year-old Oscar winner took time out from the bustling Toronto International Film Festival to talk about the new flick, an intimidating co-star and his future on the moon.
Carl Brashear got ahead by breaking a lot of rules. Is it important to break rules to be successful? Are you a rule breaker?
Cuba Gooding Jr.: I think it's important to keep your eyes focused on what is right. And if that goes against a set of traditions, then you can't let it hinder what you feel is the right thing to do. If breaking a rule is required then I think you should go with your heart.
Do you recall your first contact with co-star Robert De Niro?
Gooding: When I was negotiating for this part I kind of fell out of negotiations. Then I realized how stupid I was and how important it was, that this movie is bigger than me. But before that, I made a call to De Niro and asked his advice. He just cussed me out! (Laughs) "What are you doing? You can't do that!" So I love him for that.
After seeing this film, and leaning about what Carl Brashear lived through, I wanted to tell everyone I know to stop whining about their problems!
Gooding: I hear you, man! Here we are on the set doing this scene and I've been in this diving suit for an hour and a half. [Director] George [Tillman Jr.] says to me, "We need to get this one last shot, but I know you're tired. Do you want to get out? Do you want to take a break?" I'm surrounded by Navy master divers, Navy SEALs and Carl Brashear [himself]. (Laughs) I'm like, "No! No, I'm fine. I can't feel my left leg, but I'm fine!"
What's next? How do you top "Men of Honor?"
Gooding: [Joking] I'm going to shoot myself up to the moon with a stack of Twinkies in my pocket. No! What am I going to do next? I don't know. How do I top this? Oh, "Pearl Harbor"! That's how you top it! "Pearl Harbor" -- next Memorial Day.
"Men of Honor" plunges into theaters nationwide on November 10.
Photo(s) by Hollywood.com- © 2000- 20th Century Fox- All Rights Reserved