Tyler Perry’s non-stop directing and screenwriting workload is about to take a well deserved hiatus. Perry has directed seven movies since 2008 including this Friday’s “Madea’s Big Happy Family,” but his next role will be as an actor only in the big screen adaptation of James Patterson’s “I, Alex Cross.” Perry will play Patterson’s iconic mystery solver for director Rob Cohen, a role that Morgan Freeman originated in “Kiss the Girls” and “Along Came A Spider.” With production expected to begin in September, HitFix asked Perry about his preparation for “Cross” this week while he promoted “Big Happy Family.”
“I’m down 17 pounds from ‘Madea.’ I’m gonna drop another 15. Put on about 10 pounds of muscle. They are going for a young and sexy Alex Cross so I’ve really got to get in shape,” Pery says. “I’m taking Krav Maga classes. I bought a Harley, riding a bike. Y’know, I’m doing all this stuff for it because I’m really excited about the opportunity to do something different. And Rob Cohen, he’s the man so, it’s gonna be awesome.”
Another film that’s expected to be filming this Fall is the long awaited sequel to J.J. Abrams “Star Trek.” And, like many who appeared in the original, Perry still isn’t sure what the second installmentl holds. Will he be back as Admiral Richard Barnett?
Perry replies, “I’m waiting for the new script because nobody has called me yet. No one has said, ‘We need you.’ Hey, J.J.! Hey! J.J. Abrams! Y’know, I’m waiting for my phone call buddy.”
The ball is in your court Mr. Abrams, but it appers Perry is more than happy to return.
You can watch Perry’s thoughts on “Alex Cross” and “Star Trek 2” in the video embedded above.
Look for more from Perry on “Madea’s Big Happy Family” tomorrow on HitFix.