Aldis Hodge Loved James Patterson’s Response to Whitewashing ‘Cross’

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As a movie buff who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of cinema and its intricate behind-the-scenes politics, I can’t help but admire the tenacity and unwavering commitment to authenticity demonstrated by James Patterson and Aldis Hodge in the Alex Cross saga.

As a passionate cinema enthusiast, I always appreciate a tale where someone stands up to Hollywood and gives them a piece of their mind – much like James Patterson did when industry executives requested him to reimagine his cherished Alex Cross character as a white individual. Now, the remarkable television star Aldis Hodge, who brings the titular role to life, is voicing his thoughts on the significance of keeping Alex Cross a Black man.

In an interview with BuzzFeed, I shared that I was taken aback, amazed, and swelled with pride when I learned that the creator of the hugely popular Alex Cross series was approached by certain film industry bigwigs with a seven-figure offer – yet this offer came with a condition: they wanted him to alter the character’s ethnicity to white.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last month, Patterson explained the story as such:

In an intriguing twist regarding the ‘Cross’ series in Hollywood, when I penned the initial Alex Cross novel, I was financially strapped. Suddenly, there came a knock at my door – a proposition from Hollywood, offering millions of dollars. With my funds limited, their offer was tempting. However, they requested one alteration: they wanted Alex to be portrayed as a white character instead of the African-American protagonist I had created. My response was firm and straightforward, “I respectfully decline your offer.

He further stated that, “it was tough, but I pushed through,” explaining that the difficulty initially prevented the acquisition of adaptation rights for Alex Cross’ universe. However, they eventually were sold – leading to numerous successful films featuring Morgan Freeman (in 1997’s Kiss the Girls and 2001’s Along Came a Spider) and even a 2012 film starring Tyler Perry as the lead character.

Hollywood’s Long History With ‘Alex Cross’ And What The New Series Is About

In the latest Prime Video series penned by Ben Watkins, Aldis Hodge assumes the part of Alex Cross, a detective tackling crimes in Washington D.C., alongside his fellow officer and close friend John Samson, played by Isaiah Mustafa. Hodge shared that stepping into Cross’ renowned shoes was not a task he underestimated, expressing pride in being part of a team who shares the same principles as him, particularly when it comes to accurately representing the culture.

Walking a mile in someone else’s shoes offers a chance to challenge prejudices, showcase our authentic selves, and contribute to unlocking more chances for growth, as Aldis explained. That’s the essence of the experience for me.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I can’t help but express my excitement over the critically acclaimed series that has recently taken the streaming world by storm. In just 20 days, it managed to captivate over 40 million viewers, as reported by Amazon. Since its debut last month, this show has been showered with accolades and impressive viewership numbers.

Seems like many people agree that he is — including the author himself, James Patterson.

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2024-12-13 07:03