Certainly one of Hollywood’s most reliable skills, Aldis Hodge has amassed many glorious performances in his profession, and his flip as a literary detective in crime thriller Cross can definitely be counted amongst these. The Leverage vet is the third actor to painting Alex Cross following Morgan Freeman and Tyler Perry, however the first to spend a full TV season contained in the character’s world created by bestselling creator James Patterson.
It’s no coincidence that every one three are Black actors, with Patterson just lately opening up about having to show down an adaptation supply from studio execs who needed to make Alex Cross a white character. (Extra on that beneath.)
After Cross, Reacher, And Jack Ryan…
9 Different Heroes From Thriller Books Amazon Prime Ought to Adapt Into A Collection
It seems Aldis Hodge caught wind of James Patterson’s anecdote, telling Buzzfeed that he wasn’t conscious of it earlier than the creator divulged it in an interview. He then shared his response to studying concerning the creator’s staunch stance on ensuring Alex Cross’ live-action illustration remained true to that core ingredient of the beloved character when the present hit the 2024 TV schedule. In his phrases:
I used to be shocked, impressed, and happy with that. . . . For me to step into these sneakers, any time I step right into a place of energy or illustration, it seems like a privilege and a duty that I am honored to even be tasked with. I simply need to carry that the correct means.
I’ve bother believing Aldis Hodge could be able to mishandling or dishonoring the position of Alex Cross. Even the character could be good sufficient to understand how good Hodge is. His face simply has a naturally contemplative look to it that dovetails properly.
Not that the Straight Outta Compton vet is taking the credit score for a way Cross does not shrink back from its racially charged storyline of a murdered BLM activist, whereas sidestepping the tropes that always include the Hollywood-ification of such a narrative. Hodge credit creator and showrunner Ben Watkins for highlighting “all the belongings and sides of the Black neighborhood,” and for doing all of it in methods which might be few and much between on the earth of tv.
Aldis Hodge continued to unfold the love for these he labored with, saying:
I am proud to be with a crew that believes in the identical values that I do, particularly with regards to the illustration of the tradition. Stepping in his sneakers is simply one other alternative to disprove stereotypes, characterize the reality of who we’re, and assist proceed to open up doorways of alternative. That is what it means to me.
Fortunately, followers do not even have to fret about Hodge having a shortened run within the position of Alex Cross. Cross is already confirmed to be remaining among the many checklist of Prime Movies greatest reveals, because it was renewed for Seaso 2 months earlier than the primary season debuted for these with Amazon Prime subscriptions. And Watkins informed THR he is acquired a tentative four-season plan in thoughts, so so long as individuals preserve watching, the crimes will proceed.
James Patterson Dropped An F-Bomb When Requested To Whitewash Alex Cross
Again in mid-November, simply after Cross hit Prime Video’s streaming library, James Patterson spoke with THR about every of the live-action journeys his greatest character took up to now, and revealed that when he was first approached about permitting Alex Cross to get his personal film, he turned it down out of precept although he actually might have used the cash on the time. This is how he defined it:
Right here’s an attention-grabbing factor concerning the Hollywood Cross stuff. After I wrote the primary Alex Cross e-book, I didn’t have some huge cash and Hollywood got here calling — knock, knock, knock, knock, knock. They provided seven figures, and I didn’t have some huge cash. They mentioned, ‘We simply need one change; we wish Alex to be a white man.’ And I mentioned, ‘Fuck you.’ It was painful, however I did it.
Not all bestselling authors would have that very same dedication to holding true to their characters origins, however Patterson talked about how a lot he based mostly components of Alex Cross’ life on his upbringing in Newburgh, New York, the place he hung out with the household of the Black chef who ran the kitchen in a restaurant that his grandparents owned. So to have that get taken away could be a detriment to each the the character and the reminiscences that led to his creation.
All eight episodes of Cross can be found to stream in full on Prime Video.