When Tyler Perry replaced Idris Elba as the titular character in I, Alex Cross, the project was immediately met with a wave of criticism. How could a man accustomed to cross-dressing as a blatantly (offensive?) stereotypical African American woman do justice to a character so impeccably played by Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman? Further, how could he tap into the tormented essence of the character that author James Patterson created in his best-selling novels? I have to admit, I was a bit nervous about how the film, directed by The Fast and the Furious’ Rob Cohen, would turn out.
As it turns out, there’s hope for I, Alex Cross after all, as Patterson himself has put my fears to rest. I got the chance to chat with the legendary writer about Perry’s performance – which he claims will “blow everybody’s mind” – as well as those of the film’s stellar supporting cast including Cicely Tyson and Matthew “We Have To Go Back!” Fox, and what we can expect from the movie when it hits theaters next year. He also talks about the differences between Perry’s portrayal of the character and Freeman’s, and his enthusiasm for this new iteration of Cross may surprise you.
Check out the interview below, and be on the lookout for I, Alex Cross in 2012!
You can contact Michael Rothman directly on Twitter at @TheRealRothman.
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