As a seasoned gamer and avid follower of the entertainment industry, I can confidently say that Aldis Hodge has proven himself to be a remarkable talent time and again. His portrayal of Alex Cross in the thrilling series, Cross, is nothing short of impressive. The fact that he’s the first actor to spend an entire TV season immersed in the character’s world created by James Patterson is a testament to his dedication and commitment.
In his illustrious career, Aldis Hodge has delivered numerous impressive performances, and his role as a literary detective in the crime thriller “Cross” is undoubtedly one of them. As a seasoned actor from the hit series “Leverage,” Hodge is the third to play Alex Cross, following Morgan Freeman and Tyler Perry. However, he is the first to immerse himself fully into James Patterson’s unique character world over an entire TV season.
It’s not accidental that the trio are black actors, as Patterson has recently revealed that he was approached by studio executives to adapt Alex Cross, but they wanted to change the character’s race from black to white. (Further details about this issue can be found below.)
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It appears Aldis Hodge found out about James Patterson’s story, as he told Buzzfeed that he wasn’t previously aware of it. In an interview, the author had shared his firm stance on ensuring Alex Cross’ live-action portrayal stayed true to the character’s essential traits when the show was scheduled for TV in 2024. Here’s what Hodge said about it:
In simpler terms, “I was amazed, pleased, and proud to find myself in this role.” Whenever I take on leadership or representational positions, it feels like an honor and a duty that I am grateful for, and I aim to handle it appropriately.
I find it hard to imagine Aldis Hodge making mistakes or compromising the character of Alex Cross. The role itself seems intelligent enough to recognize his talent. There’s an inherent thoughtfulness in his facial expressions that fits the part perfectly.
The Straight Outta Compton alumnus isn’t claiming credit for how the series Cross fearlessly tackles its racially sensitive narrative about a slain Black Lives Matter activist, while avoiding typical Hollywood clichés associated with such portrayals. Instead, Hodge acknowledges creator and showrunner Ben Watkins for portraying “the diverse strengths and complexities of the Black community” in ways that are seldom seen on television.
Aldis Hodge continued to spread the love for those he worked with, saying:
I take great pride in being part of a team that shares my core values, particularly when it comes to accurately portraying our culture. Wearing his shoes is an additional chance for me to challenge stereotypes, truthfully represent ourselves, and continue paving the way for more opportunities. To me, that’s what it’s all about.
As a dedicated gamer, I’m thrilled to share some good news! You won’t have to fret about Hodge leaving his role as Alex Cross anytime soon. The show has already been greenlit for another season on Prime Video, even before its first season premiered for Amazon Prime members. In fact, the creators have a tentative plan for four seasons if the audience keeps tuning in. So sit back, relax, and keep enjoying the thrilling ride of Alex Cross’s crime-solving adventures!
James Patterson Dropped An F-Bomb When Asked To Whitewash Alex Cross
Around mid-November, shortly following the addition of Cross to Prime Video’s streaming service, James Patterson had a chat with THR. During this conversation, he reminisced about each live-action adventure his most famous character, Alex Cross, embarked on in the past. Interestingly, when he was initially offered the chance to let Alex Cross star in his own movie, Patterson declined, even though financially it would have been beneficial for him at that time. Here’s how he put it:
Intriguing tidbit about the Hollywood adaptation of the Alex Cross series. When I penned the initial Alex Cross novel, I wasn’t financially well-off, and suddenly, Hollywood arrived at my doorstep – a series of knocks. They presented a substantial sum in seven figures, which was a significant amount for me at that time. However, they proposed one modification: they wanted Alex to be portrayed as a white character instead. I found this request offensive and declined, albeit reluctantly.
Not all bestselling authors would have that same dedication to holding true to their characters origins, but Patterson talked about how much he based parts of Alex Cross’ life on his upbringing in Newburgh, New York, where he spent time with the family of the Black chef who ran the kitchen in a restaurant that his grandparents owned. So to have that get taken away would be a detriment to both the the character and the memories that led to his creation.
All eight episodes of Cross are available to stream in full on Prime Video.
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2024-12-13 18:07