Don't Mess With The Shaft

By Acheron June 12, 2000 7:38 AM

(Nando Times) Samuel L. Jackson says he was the cat who wouldn't cop out when there was conflict on the set of "Shaft." Jackson and director John Singleton said the studio wanted to soften the lead character. John Shaft, a hip New York detective known for his hot temper, cool style and womanizing ways was played by Richard Roundtree in the original movie. Roundtree reprises that role in the new version and Jackson plays his nephew in the lead role, also a hip New York detective named John Shaft. But Jackson wanted no part of a kinder, gentler Shaft. "I wanted to be faithful to what I think the 'Shaft' movie is, so I'm not going to get bullied or allow whoever else is being bullied into doing something that I don't want to do just to defuse (an argument)," Jackson said in Sunday's Daily News of Los Angeles. In the end, Singleton agreed to cut much of the sex from the movie but kept the violent action sequences. "We're living in an even more puritanical society than we were 30 years ago. So it's OK for Shaft to bash somebody's head in, but to show him (having sex), well, that would offend women, I guess," he said.

-This movie has such great potential, and they got the best man for the job. Anything that would have taken away from the original would have been unacceptable. To hold Sam Jackson back from what he is capable of as an actor would ruin this film. It's going to be great...

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RE: Don't Mess With The Shaft   reply

Posted by Acheron (denny@dtheatre.com) on June 12, 2000 7:59 AM

test...

RE: Don't Mess With The Shaft   reply

Posted by A random shemp (No Email) on June 12, 2000 3:23 PM

You talkin' 'bout Windu? De jedis say he's a BAAAADDD (SHUT YO MOUF') Talkin' bout Windu? He can take it! (MACE WINDU). He's a complicated jedi, but no one understands him but the force - (MACE WINDU) insert horn part here. BTW, your login section sucks. If you want participation, get rid of the smart ass error messages and show some courtesy to those who take the time to review your content. Anyone who has the time and energy to keep up with a news service password has a questionable base of reality to begin with.

RE: RE: Don't Mess With The Shaft   reply

Posted by Azad (eka@dtheatre.com) on June 14, 2000 9:21 AM

Yeah, those error messages were reminiscent of the days when the site first started, we haven't really changed the messages because the thought hasn't crossed our minds, but since you mentioned it.. I just did a quick fix :)