He’s been featured in numerous classic films such as “Boyz N the Hood,” “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” and “King of New York,” but is perhaps best known for his role as Morpheus in the blockbuster hit trilogy “The Matrix.”
An accomplished stage, screen and television actor, Laurence Fishburne has built a successful film career that spans three decades and talks to Samantha Ofole-Prince about his latest heist drama “Armored,” an action packed flick about a crew of armored truck guards who execute a meticulously planned robbery of their own security firm.
What was the appeal for you in “Armored” and how did you get onboard?
They [studio] called and sent me the script. I read the script. I have not done a heist film and I haven’t played this kind of guy in a while. I have been doing sort of the cerebral intellect guy and this guy Baines is not a deep thinker at all and it was time to do that. Every heist movie needs a character like Baines. You have to have a guy who’s not quite right and that’s the guy I get to play in this movie. Baines does a good job at pretending to be normal, but he’s definitely not. He’s the guy that you know is going to do something to make the situation go from bad to worse. This whole situation [of them robbing an armored truck] is a little unbelievable, but it makes for a good movie somehow. This was an opportunity to play a character completely operating under his own rules.
Baines is definitely a loose canon and goes against everyone. Is there any time in your life where you have gone against a close friend or family member for moral reasons such as in this movie?
Not for moral reasons, but people come in and out of our lives. Certainly, I’ve had to deal with people coming in and out of our lives, but nothing like this situation in the film.
It must have been great reuniting with your old pal Matt Dillon who’s also in this movie. You guys were both very young when you made the movie “Rumblefish.”
Matt Dillon (left) and Laurence Fishburne previously co-stared in Rumblefish in 1982
Photo By: Lacey Terrell
It was great. Matt, in many respects, is still the same guy he was twenty years ago. We were still teenagers when we made that movie and that was in 1982 so it was kinda freaky and we were both child actors too and have continued to work which is great. Back then I was 120 pounds lighter.
Speaking of weight, there was a lot of physical action involved. Did you have to get in shape to tackle some of the stunt work and did you perform your own stunts?
We were all in reasonable enough shape to do what we had to do. We all did our own work. Thank God I didn’t have to do what Columbus Short had to do but I was capable of doing what I had to do.
The director, Nimrod Antal, is a relatively new director. Did you have any hesitations working with a director with such little experience?
No. The script is really the first element and it was in order and it was really good. I saw his film “Kontroll” which is terrific and hilarious, weird, quirky and interesting and fun. Upon meeting him I was instantly ready to go. He is truly one of the best young directors I have met in years. He’s really technically savvy and grew up loving movies and has a passion for this.
What’s the most rewarding thing about getting this project?
A couple of things: Getting to work with the great Jean Reno: Working with Amaury Nolasco. My best friend is his acting teacher and also getting to work with Columbus Short.
What makes Columbus so great to work with?
Here’s this guy who really has the talent, the integrity, discipline and love of the craft. This picture is Columbus’ picture and I am just stoked to be a part of it
This film is really about what goes around comes around.
Do you believe in karma? Yes. And who doesn’t?
You also play Dr. Raymond Langston in the television drama CSI. What prompted you to do that show? You must have had television offers before?
I’ve never had television offers before. I was minding my business doing a play in New York and they came calling and I took a look at a couple of episodes and felt we were a good fit and said yes.
Television actors often complain of long hours and equally long days. Are the hours appealing?
It’s very civilized. They [CSI] have been doing it for 10 years and they have it down to mostly a 12 hour day and for television that’s very civilized because generally they are doing 15 to 16 hours a day.
You have worked in all three mediums: television, stage and screen. Which of the three is easier? Acting is acting and you have to learn how to use each of the mediums and how to work with each medium. I like working and I am happy to work with anyone of them and there are challenges, but I can’t really say that one is easier or harder for it’s about individuals and who you are working with individually at the end of the day.
You currently serve as an Ambassador for UNICEF. Can you talk about the role and what is involved?
I am a U.S. Ambassador for UNICEF and I’ve had the opportunity to travel to Liberia which was my first trip and then I was in South Africa. Liberia for the Civil war and South Africa for the AIDS pandemic and it’s been a while since I’ve been able to do any work with the commitments that I’ve had. But it’s one of the things that I need to do more often.
Do you have a favorite heist film?
I have a couple of favorite heist films. On top of my list are both versions of “The Thomas Crown Affair.” I like both of those movies a lot. The caper movies are all just fun.
“Armored” is currently playing in all major theatres
