INTERVIEW: Tyrese Talks Death Race, Luke Cage, and Transformers with Michelle in Exclusive Interview!

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Tyrese Gibson is another one of those Rappers who successfully made the transition from music to films.  He started by making guest appearances on TV shows like Moesha and Martin and had his first breakthrough role starring in John Singleton’s Baby Boy.  This is where I first notice Tyrese, I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve never heard a single one of his songs, so couldn’t comment on that, but as an actor he certainly has the “It” thing.  He’s currently on tap to star in Marvel’s upcoming Luke Cage film and he’s in next summer’s Transformers sequel.  I had the chance to talk with him for a few minutes for the Blu-ray release of Death Race.  Here’s what I learned.

  • Tyrese wouldn’t talk about Luke Cage. He said it’s too early in the process and until he sees a finalized script he doesn’t have anything to say about it.
  • On the difference between working with Paul W.S. Anderson and Michael Bay is primarily budget and scope. Bay is very much a big movie director/general who doesn’t spend as much time with his actors as Anderson does. Anderson is more personal and hands on.
  • He’s not a method actor, but during the last two weeks of filming he really got into his dark place and didn’t come out of it for a while, to play a dark character you have to really just let yourself go and surrender to it.
  • He’s a chameleon who likes to challenge himself in the types of roles that he takes.
  • He never wants to mix music with his acting, so he’s taking a complete break from Music. Saying that when he does something he wants to commit to it 100% which is why he won’t sing in any of his films and he doesn’t want to do any soundtrack music for any of his films.
  • Other than talking about working with Michael Bay he avoided all my questions related to next summer’s Transformers other than saying it was a completely different experience and that times he was filming both Death Race and Transformers at the same time.
  • They didn’t have any race training for Death Race, other than just being a naturally fast driver.
  • He’s not a huge comic book fan, but he’s done his research for Luke Cage and he does have some books at his house.

Death Race hits the streets Dec 23, on Blu-Ray ($39.99 retail) and an Unrated DVD Version (29.99).

EM Interview by
By Michelle Alexandria
Originally posted 12.21.08

Updated: December 21, 2008 — 11:58 pm