Latest news with #Fishburne
South China Morning Post
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
The Amateur star Laurence Fishburne on 9 of his key roles, from The Matrix to John Wick 2
If the filmmaking duo known as Daniels had not named their Oscar-winning movie Everything Everywhere All at Once, it would have been the perfect title for a tribute to Laurence Fishburne. Advertisement Since his breakthrough as the energetic Mr Clean in 1979's Apocalypse Now, the actor has been a ubiquitous presence in Hollywood and beyond, shifting seamlessly from hit franchises including The Matrix and John Wick to groundbreaking films such as Boyz N the Hood, television shows like black-ish and the recent Broadway revival of David Mamet's American Buffalo. He also writes and directs, and has been recruited to lend his distinctive voice to animations, video games and podcasts. The latest is 20th Century Studios' action-espionage drama The Amateur, starring Rami Malek as Charlie Heller, a talented CIA analyst who undertakes a mission of vengeance after his wife is killed in a terrorist attack. Fishburne is Henderson, a retired colonel specialising in training field agents, who comes into Heller's orbit. Advertisement And although Fishburne is in only a handful of scenes, his formidable presence adds gravitas to the entire film.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Laurence Fishburne Felt ‘Really Dejected' After Doing '40 Takes' of an ‘Apocalypse Now' Scene Talking About Sex at Age 14
Laurence Fishburne is recalling just how 'disappointed' Francis Ford Coppola was in part of his 'Apocalypse Now' performance. Fishburne, who later reunited with Coppola for 'Rumble Fish,' 'The Cotton Club,' 'Gardens of Stone,' and 2024's Razzie winner 'Megalopolis,' said during the Apple TV+ documentary 'Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood' that while filming 1979's 'Apocalypse Now,' his own lack of real-life 'sexual experience' impacted his acting ability. More from IndieWire 'Bring Her Back' Trailer: Sally Hawkins Is a Nightmare Foster Mom in the Latest Horror from the Directors of 'Talk to Me' The Beatles Biopic Cast Revealed: Paul Mescal as Paul, Joseph Quinn as George, Barry Keoghan as Ringo, and Harris Dickinson as John Fishburne was age 14 when he was cast in the film; a scene cut from the original theatrical release (and later re-added in Coppola's 2001 redux cut) included Fishburne's soldier character detailing sex. However, Coppola did not find Fishburne convincing. A source close to production told IndieWire that Fishburne misrepresented his age in his audition to land the role. IndieWire has reached out to Fishburne's representatives for additional comment. 'There's a scene in 'Apocalypse Now' that got cut from the original film, and then it's been put back in the redux,' Fishburne said, from The Hollywood Reporter. 'I was 14, 15, whatever, trying to do this scene talking about sex and I had no sexual experience. Like, none.' He added that Coppola 'couldn't figure out how to get me to be any more experienced than I am' and kept 'asking me to do it over and over again.' 'I did something like 40 takes. It was really bad,' Fishburne said. 'And I could tell that he was disappointed. So I was feeling really, really down, really dejected.' It was Fishburne's co-star Martin Sheen who helped him overcome the scene. 'I heard Martin whisper in my ear, he said, 'Did anyone ever tell you you were a really good actor?'' Fishburne said. 'And I said, 'No.' He said, 'You're a really good actor.'' According to Fishburne, Sheen 'saved [his] life,' saying of Sheen, 'That's what being No. 1 on a call sheet is about for me.' The acclaimed 'Apocalypse Now' was, at the time of its release, deemed by many to be a commerical failure, despite tying for the Palme d'Or at Cannes and receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. Coppola reflected on the film's legacy during an anniversary event in 2019. 'The avant-garde of yesterday is the wallpaper design of today,' Coppola said about negative reviews. 'Some of the greatest artists of their day, we may have never heard of them. But the 'failures' like Van Gogh or Rousseau, who had to take his paintings around in a wheelbarrow — you'd give your eyeteeth now to have those paintings. The things you get fired for when you're young are the same things you get Lifetime Achievements for when you're old.' Best of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie The 55 Best LGBTQ Movies and TV Shows Streaming on Netflix Right Now
The Independent
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Laurence Fishburne drops bombshell about Matrix 4 snub
Laurence Fishburne has explained his absence from The Matrix Resurrections, revealing that his offer to return was rejected. The actor, who played Morpheus in the original trilogy, was a notable absence from the divisive fourth instalment, which reunited Keanu Reeves and Carrie Ann Moss. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II played a younger version of Morpheus in the 2021 film – and, according to Fishburne, he was turned down when he said he was up for starring in the film. 'I offered my services to the fourth Matrix, and they didn't respond well to that,' Fishburne said during an appearance on The View, adding that 'for whatever reason', they rejected his offer. 'It's not like I didn't say, 'I'd like to offer my services.' I did,' the actor added, without naming who it was who said no. A fifth Matrix film is in the works from Cabin the Woods director Drew Goddard, who is succeeding Lana Wachowski as director. When asked if he'd reprise the role of Morpheus for the next instalment, Fishburne said it 'depended on the circumstances' surrounding 'who was involved' and 'how well the script has been written'. Fishburne shared his view on The Matrix Resurrections shortly after its release, telling Variety: 'It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. And it wasn't as good as I hoped it would be. But I thought Carrie-Anne and Keanu really did their thing. Yeah, that's what I thought.' In response to being asked if he 'missed out', he said: 'No, not really.' Fisburne previously addressed his absence from the project, which was written and directed by Lana Wachowski, in a New York Magazine interview, in which he stated: 'I wish them well. I hope it's great.' He added that while it's 'great' that Morpheus is 'probably the role that I'll be best remembered for', it is 'not the only thing I'll be remembered for, which is better'. The Matrix Resurrections was the first in the franchise since 2003's The Matrix Revolutions. There was speculation that Morpheus's absence from the sequel was a result of the events of The Matrix Online, a video game in which the character was killed.
Los Angeles Times
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
‘Who do I need to talk to or bribe to be a part of this?' Laurence Fishburne looks back on 12 key roles
If the filmmaking duo known as Daniels had not named their Oscar-winning movie 'Everything Everywhere All at Once,' it would have been the perfect title for a tribute to Laurence Fishburne. Since his breakthrough as the energetic 'Mr. Clean' in 1979's 'Apocalypse Now,' the actor has been a ubiquitous presence in Hollywood and beyond, shifting seamlessly from hit franchises ('The Matrix' and 'John Wick') to groundbreaking films ('Boyz N the Hood,') to television ('black-ish') and theater ('Thurgood' and the recent Broadway revival of David Mamet's 'American Buffalo'). He also writes and directs, and has been recruited to lend his distinctive voice to animated movies, video games and podcasts. The latest entry in that voluminous output is 20th Century Studios' action-espionage drama 'The Amateur,' starring Rami Malek as Charlie Heller, a talented CIA analyst who undertakes a mission of vengeance after his wife is killed in a terrorist attack. Fishburne is Henderson, a retired colonel specializing in training field agents who comes into Heller's orbit. And although Fishburne is in only a handful of scenes, his formidable presence adds gravitas to the entire film. James Hawes, who directed 'The Amateur,' praised the actor's 'enigmatic nature' and his ability to project simultaneous danger and charm: 'He was the first name on the list for this role.' 'The Amateur,' in theaters April 11, drops into a dizzying schedule for Fishburne, a strong indicator that although he is marking his 50th anniversary in show business, he shows no sign of slowing down. It also raises the question of whether he finds time to sleep. He recently responded to the query with a deep, booming laugh. 'Yes, I do,' he said while taking a break from a photo shoot at a Hollywood studio. 'I sleep very well.' You'd be forgiven for assuming otherwise. March, for instance, was occupied by theater work: Fishburne was joined by Titus Welliver ('Bosch') in a staged reading/revival of his first produced play as a playwright, 1995's 'Riff Raff,' and he closed out the month in 'Like They Do in the Movies,' the one-man show he wrote and stars in about 'the stories and lies people have told me. And that I have told myself.' He hopes to tour the production over the next few years. Upcoming projects on the big and small screens include South by Southwest premiere 'The Astronaut,' starring Kate Mara as a woman encountering strange happenings following her return from a NASA mission, and the fourth season of Netflix's fantasy-drama 'The Witcher' ('It's a new kind of character and world for me,' he said.). Despite his accomplishments, though, Fishburne still thinks of himself as a young thespian hoping to get his first break. 'At this point, I can't describe my career any other way [than] to say that I am a journeyman,' he said. 'What drives me is the same thing that drove me when I first started. I'm still hungry, hungry to do good work and interesting things. I'm curious about stuff I don't know, and that curiosity makes me bounce around.' Teaming up with Malek, who won a lead actor Oscar for his portrayal of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in 2018's 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' fits squarely in that creative quest. Fishburne has been a fan since Malek co-starred in HBO's epic World War II miniseries 'The Pacific.' 'When I saw him in that, I felt, 'This guy is the real deal,' ' Fishburne recalled. The opportunity to work alongside Malek and the strength of the script were the factors that led Fishburne to sign on to the project. 'My choices are intuitive for the most part, whether a piece of material speaks to me or not, ' he said, though he admits that other factors have also come into play in the past — including one very important instance of being in the right place at the right time. 'I met John Singleton when I was doing 'Pee-wee's Playhouse,' ' he said, reflecting on his first encounter with the late 'Boyz N the Hood' writer-director, during his stint as Cowboy Curtis on the eccentric Saturday morning TV show. 'He was a production assistant on that show and I had just finished 'School Daze.' He approached me and said, 'I want to know everything about that movie, everything about [director Spike Lee].' And then he said, 'Why are you doing this kids' show?' I said, 'I need a job. I gotta work.' My wife had just had our first baby and a second child was on the way. I had bought a house and had a mortgage.' Reflecting on some of his more well-known work, as well as some 'deep cuts,' Fishburne was upbeat, his trademark laugh punctuating many of his memories: 'I love what I do, and being able to do it in many different arenas and many differing mediums makes it fun. I feel I'm fulfilling my purpose.' 'Apocalypse Now' (1979) Fishburne was only 14 when he began filming his breakthrough performance, the first of his collaborations with director Francis Ford Coppola, which include 'The Cotton Club' and 'Megalopolis.' It changed my life, set me on the path of living an artistic life. This is where I came to the realization that I could be an artist, and that there was more to this thing of being in the movies than what I thought. I discovered there was a way to be of service with this talent I've been given. Whenever I happen across this film when it comes on, I see Larry Fishburne, the kid. 'Death Wish II' (1982) The sequel to the hit 1974 film starring Charles Bronson as architect-turned-vigilante Paul Kersey featured Fishburne as a gang member named Cutter who targets Kersey's family. Things do not end well for him. I needed a job. I went to the audition and they said, 'OK, you guys have to rape this chair.' So I jumped in and sexually assaulted a chair. Got the gig. It was an honor to share the screen with Charles Bronson — and to get wasted by him. 'Pee-wee's Playhouse' (1986-90) Fishburne played Cowboy Curtis in Paul Reubens' groundbreaking show that appealed to kids and adults alike. What was marvelous about 'Pee-wee's Playhouse' was that it was very experimental. It was not for everybody. Paul had come up with this very strange boy/man. He and Paul Paragon and Lynn Marie Stewart from the Groundlings said, 'We need a cowboy.' I said, 'OK.' I did this very serious gunslinger, like Yul Brynner from 'The Magnificent Seven,' because I had no hair when I auditioned. They said, 'Um, can you do it lighter?' and I said, 'Oh, comedy!' So I decided to be silly. I bought a jheri curl wig because that was the big thing on the West Coast. It reminded me of the thing that gave me joy when I was a child, which was 'Batman' with Adam West. And it wasn't just kids that watched. Adults watched. It was the '80s, so people would party all night, and then end the night by watching 'Pee-wee' in the morning. I was just thrilled we did something that people enjoyed. 'School Daze' (1988) Spike Lee's musical drama, set at a top historically Black college, took on issues of colorism, 'good' and 'bad' hair and more. Fishburne starred as Vaughn 'Dap' Dunlap, a militant student who clashes with fraternity leader Julian 'Big Brother Almighty' Eaves (Giancarlo Esposito). I love 'School Daze.' I recently revisited it with my teenage daughter. It's again one of those cultural touchstones. We hadn't seen that world before in a movie — the only people who knew about that world were people who lived in that world. The fact that we told it musically took it to another level. The 'good and bad hair' number, the 'Doing Da Butt' sequence — those things are timeless. Then there's the cast. Myself, Giancarlo, Samuel L. Jackson, Tisha Campbell, Kadeem Hardison, Jasmine Guy, Branford Marsalis. All of those people went on to wonderful work. It's a significant achievement for Spike. 'Boyz N the Hood' (1991) Singleton scored an Oscar nomination for directing for his gritty coming-of-age drama set in South Los Angeles. Fishburne starred as Furious Styles, a single father trying to keep his son, Tre (Cuba Gooding), on the right path. Another historic cinematic achievement. I was working with a first-time director who was very young but supremely confident. I trusted him because his story was authentic. He was telling his story — no lies, no fabrication. 'Deep Cover' (1992) Fishburne starred as undercover cop Russell Stevens, who almost gets in over his head as he tries to bring down drug dealer David Jason (Jeff Goldblum). That film was important as establishing myself as a leading man. It still holds up. It's the kind of movie I always wanted to make — I saw movies like that when I was young. It's like 'Serpico' and 'Baretta.' To get to play with someone like Jeff, who is so mercurial and cerebral yet is so playful — and then he goes dark — was a joy. 'What's Love Got to Do With It' (1993) Fishburne and Angela Bassett scored Oscar nominations for this film about Tina Turner's struggle to break free of her volcanic and abusive husband Ike Turner. I love music — jazz, rock 'n' roll, all genres. I fully got to live out my rock 'n' roll fantasy. I rock a Beatle wig and knee-high boots. C'mon! Sly Stone and Billy Preston got nothing on my Ike! Yes, he was dark, but I try to keep in the light. 'Always Outnumbered' (1998) The HBO adaptation of Walter Mosley's novel 'Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned' starred Fishburne as Socrates Fortlow, an angry ex-convict trying to deal with life outside prison. Cicely Tyson and Natalie Cole co-starred. That's a great piece of work. Walter Mosley is a genius — I'm a huge Walter fan. Socrates was really complex and really simple at the same time. He was seething with rage, but he was also incredibly patient and compassionate because of the tragic mistakes. Natalie Cole was fabulous. She was not an actress, but she held her own in that film. 'The Matrix' (1999) Wearing sunglasses and a heavy leather trenchcoat, Fishburne showed off his action movie chops as the enigmatic operative Morpheus in the original film and the first two sequels. Another life-changing experience. I'm so proud to have been a part of that, one of the culturally impactful films of the last century. I had no idea it would become so iconic. But I did know it was the most original thing I had ever read. I had never come across anything like it. It's so ingrained in the public psyche — everyone is always talking about 'I'm going down the rabbit hole' or 'red pill, blue pill.' It also borrowed from the Chinese school of action movies, advancing and improving the American school of action work. Since we made that movie, the idea that you can exist in different worlds is now a staple of moviemaking. 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' is the best version of that. 'Thurgood' (2008) Fishburne was nominated for a Tony Award for the one-man play in which he portrayed civil rights attorney and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. I learned a lot about the history of our country and the importance of the law, our Constitution, the patience and determination and fortitude required in the dismantling of segregation in our country. I gave what I consider to be a command performance for President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. It was one of the proudest moments of my life to portray that man for that couple in that city at that time. 'black-ish' (2014-22) Fishburne was an executive producer and co-star of this ABC sitcom about a Black family living in an upper-class, predominantly white neighborhood. I've always admired Anthony Anderson. I knew innately he had dramatic chops as well as his obvious comedic chops. I was also a great fan and admirer of Tracee Ellis Ross. The three of us anchored that show in a really powerful way. And then there were the young people in the cast [Yara Shahidi, Marcus Scribner, Miles Brown and Marsai Martin] — it's scary to think how great they are going to be. Then there's the great Jenifer Lewis. There was just a natural chemistry with all of us. We didn't try to manufacture anything. It just worked. That show also falls in line with one of the major things in my work, which is to show what it is like to be Black in America, with all its vicissitudes — not just the tragedy. 'John Wick Chapter 2' (2017) Reuniting with his 'Matrix' colleague Keanu Reeves, Fishburne was introduced in the second installment of the assassin franchise as the Bowery King, the commander of the Soup Kitchen, a homeless shelter that serves as a front for an underground intelligence network. So I see 'John Wick' and it seemed like so much fun. I got together with Keanu and said, 'Who do I need to talk to — or bribe — to be a part of this?' He said, 'We're thinking about you for something.' It's just pure joy to be in another movie and franchise with him. It's so much fun to do an action movie unlike anything you've ever seen. It's another one that pushes and takes it to the next level.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Laurence Fishburne Says Francis Ford Coppola Was 'Disappointed' by His Lack of 'Sexual Experience' as a Teen When Filming ‘Apocalypse Now'
Laurence Fishburne is recalling an incident while filming 1979's Apocalypse Now that he said left director Francis Ford Coppola 'disappointed.' In Apple TV+'s new documentary Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood, the actor said his lack of 'sexual experience' as a teenager impacted a scene in the American epic war film. More from The Hollywood Reporter 'The Astronaut' Review: Kate Mara and Laurence Fishburne in a Creepy Sci-Fi Thriller That Loses Its Grip Francis Ford Coppola Gives a Scathing Response to Winning "Worst Director" for 'Megalopolis' Razzie Awards: 'Madame Web' Named Worst Picture, Nabs Two Other Trophies 'There's a scene in Apocalypse Now that got cut from the original film, and then it's been put back in the redux,' the Matrix star recounted. 'I was 14, 15, whatever, trying to do this scene talking about sex and I had no sexual experience. Like, none.' Fishburne continued, saying the Oscar-winning filmmaker 'couldn't figure out how to get me to be any more experienced than I am, but he kept asking me to do it over and over again. I did something like 40 takes. It was really bad. And I could tell that he was disappointed. So I was feeling really, really down, really dejected.' Despite feeling down over the on-set experience, the Black-ish alum remembered some uplifting words Apocalypse Now star Martin Sheen shared with him, which he claimed 'saved my life.' 'I heard Martin whisper in my ear, he said, 'Did anyone ever tell you you were a really good actor?'' Fishburne said. 'And I said, 'No.' He said, 'You're a really good actor.'' The actor added of Sheen, 'That's what being No. 1 on a call sheet is about for me.' Apocalypse Now, which won two Oscars, followed a U.S. Army officer serving in Vietnam who is tasked with assassinating a renegade Special Forces Colonel who has reportedly gone completely mad. While the incident wasn't Fishburne's fondest memory from one of his first movie roles, it seemingly didn't impact his relationship with Coppola as he's worked with the director on several other projects throughout his career, including Rumble Fish, The Cotton Club, Gardens of Stone, and most recently, Megalopolis. The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Coppola's rep for comment. Best of The Hollywood Reporter The 10 Best Baseball Movies of All Time, Ranked 20 Times the Oscars Got It Wrong The Best Anti-Fascist Films of All Time
