Aldis Hodge Reveals How ‘Cross’ Scripts Were Kept Secret and Talks Working Through Grief

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In my humble opinion, Sylvester Stallone, the charismatic powerhouse of Hollywood, has not only left an indelible mark on cinema but also demonstrated the resilience and adaptability that are the hallmarks of a true artist. His life story is as fascinating as any blockbuster he’s starred in, with triumphs, setbacks, and reinventions that would make even the most seasoned screenwriter envious.

[This story contains major spoilers from the season finale of Cross.]

Initially, while brainstorming visual concepts for the character Alex Cross during the initial phase of developing the Prime Video series, creator Ben Watkins instinctively knew who’s appearance would be suitable to embody the title role.

As I delved deeper into imagining the characteristics of that particular character for today’s world, Aldis Hodge emerged as the actor I envisioned. Eventually, Hodge became the embodiment or ideal representation (the archetype) of the character.

Initially, Watkins wasn’t sure if Hodge would be free or willing to participate in his crime thriller adapted from James Patterson’s well-known book series. In reality, he was informed that Hodge, fresh off working on Black Adam, was not accessible, so he suggested his casting team to use Hodge as a model during auditions. Surprisingly, when the script reached Hodge’s agent, he advised Watkins not to dismiss Hodge and soon after Hodge read the script, they met in person, and he agreed to play the role of the Washington, D.C., detective and forensic psychologist renowned for being the sharpest mind in the room.

In this specific situation, particularly on set, Ben Watkins seems incredibly knowledgeable and I get the privilege of learning from him,” Hodge says to THR. “What makes Alex intelligent when he enters a room is a combination of his background in psychology and detective work, allowing him to dissect the human mind. However, his unique skill set stems from assuming ignorance about an individual. I’m discovering strategies to bond with people. I’m solving puzzles as I proceed and I’m engaging in a mental game of chess with you.

In the course of the series, Cross consistently engages in a protracted version of the game with Ed Ramsey, a serial killer who often seems to get the better of him. However, it’s only in the final episode that Cross discovers Miss Nancy, his son’s piano teacher, has been orchestrating a scheme for revenge against his family all along.

According to Hodge, he believes that with each competitor he faces, there’s an appreciation or regard for them. He thinks that the instant you undervalue your rival is when you’ve essentially lost, and he’s shrewd enough to understand this.

As a dedicated fan, I find it intriguing how sometimes Cross fails to acknowledge the impact his hasty handling of grief over his wife’s untimely death in episode one has on his subsequent decisions. The raw portrayal of this grief on screen struck a chord with me, as I too have grappled with loss while immersed in this series – losses that include our beloved fashion designer Waraire Boswell, who brought Cross’s unique style to life in the show.

In the following conversation, Hodge discusses collaborating with Boswell, the importance of portraying on-screen sorrow, his dual roles as star and executive producer in Cross, and the hidden aspects of the scripts that Watkins concealed from him, with THR.

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Were you the initial model for Alex Cross, as portrayed by Ben Watkins in this series? How did it feel for you when you started working on these books?

It’s truly remarkable that you’ve been his choice in this field, considering it’s not common to be someone’s pick here. You put in so much effort to earn your place. What makes it even more special is that he didn’t just make the choice at the start, but held onto that decision throughout the lengthy development process, which often spans years. I feel incredibly grateful for this turn of events. It feels like good fortune how things unfolded, and it reinforces my faith in the positive aspects of this industry and the goodness of people like Ben, who is simply outstanding.

Upon reading the script, I found myself captivated within approximately 15-20 pages, prompting me to summon my team for an immediate meeting with Ben. His writing style struck me as exceptionally clever, almost too good to be true. Moreover, the timing of this encounter was serendipitous, as I had just reached a point in my career where I grew tired of numerous conflicts regarding narrative, character, and storytelling.

What year was that?

In early 2022, I encountered Ben. At that time, my series had just been terminated, and my team and I had been searching for a new venture for nearly a year. We declined several proposals because they didn’t meet all our criteria. When it comes to the next opportunity, it needs to be an upgrade, it needs to align with your career path, and it must propel you forward in your growth. This opportunity encompassed everything we were looking for.

This project is an exceptional foundation for the book series, boasting the talent of Ben Watkins, the scale of Amazon, Skydance, and Paramount at the time. It’s almost as if it was predestined not to falter. What stood out most to me was that for once, I didn’t doubt my worthiness for the opportunity. Usually, we question our value and ask why us? Sometimes we even undervalue ourselves in light of others’ opinions or past experiences. But this time, I felt I truly deserved a chance like this. Of course, it still needed to be earned and cared for, but looking back on my years of hard work, I felt I merited such an opportunity. This isn’t said out of arrogance or self-importance, as I don’t condone those traits, but rather from a place of self-respect – learning to appreciate oneself enough to understand that one is worthy of good things.

In what ways did that affect your responsibilities as an executive producer, and what aspects of the job held the greatest significance for you?

My primary duties lie with my team and cast, as well as upholding the high standards that Ben established regarding set management. As I’ve moved on from my previous role as an executive producer, I’m now fully immersed in producing through my family production company. At this stage of my career, production is my top priority. Acting remains a passion, but with 35 years of experience under my belt, it’s something I can always return to. The opportunities for growth are already present. This new era for me is about producing, and I aim to excel in that role. My interests also extend to directing, writing, and the WGA, and I eagerly look forward to honing my skills as a top-notch producer.

In our initial discussion, we weren’t discussing the character but rather the approach to managing the production. Ben inquired about my perspective on the role of a lead actor, stating, “What do you think the responsibilities of a No. 1 are?” Regarding the producing aspect, he asked me, “How do you handle this? Some actors prefer to remain passive while others wish to be more involved.” I made it clear that this position isn’t about gaining vanity credits for me. Instead, it requires overseeing the entire show’s wellbeing, ensuring each cast member thrives, and taking care of the crew. As a producer, my role is essentially to constantly manage and tackle problems, ensuring the ship sails smoothly. This experience offers a fantastic chance to comprehend and learn the process of creating a product from inception to completion.

In addition to being an artisan of timepieces, one of my mentors in watchmaking once told me, “You have a natural talent for design, yet your true potential will shine when you learn not just about aesthetics, but also about the mechanics and functionality. This knowledge will transform you into a superior designer.” I apply this philosophy to my craft: mastering the intricacies of its operation ensures a higher quality end-product. Similarly, I can excel in any acting role, however, if I wish to elevate a project as a whole, I must step up as a producer, ensuring every aspect is of the highest standard.

Did Ben conceal certain aspects of the plot from the actors, such as Miss Nancy’s animosity towards Cross? Were you aware of the surprises that unfolded in the latter part of season one?

Apologies for my colorful language. Not a chance. Here’s the deal: I juggle two roles. On set, I slip into the actor role. Ben, our director, prefers to give us lines where we can react naturally, rather than over-rehearsed. This meant that there were instances when he’d hint at upcoming scenes without giving me specific details until the actual date. I had a general sense of the storyline’s direction and several subplots, but I didn’t know all the crucial plot points because knowing episode seven’s events by episode two would influence how I’d act leading up to it. I respected this process because I believe I would do the same if I were in his shoes. We’ve even discussed this approach for other roles.

What was the source of the profound grief that influenced many of Cross’ choices in his roles as a police officer, parent, friend, and partner? Was it difficult to uncover this aspect of him?

As a gamer, I find myself frequently immersed in the extraordinary lives of these virtual detectives. It’s easy to forget they’re human, especially when they’re always on top, seemingly invincible and superhuman. But then, as the story unfolds, it dawns on me – they’re not perfect, they’re not invulnerable. They have their own struggles, their own pains, just like real people do. It’s a bit like growing up and realizing that our parents, who we once saw as superheroes, are humans too, with flaws and vulnerabilities.

It’s striking to witness [Alex] show his love in such a way. Grief might be a unique form of love, or perhaps an extension of it, and the fact that this man’s love for his wife remains palpable speaks volumes. The portrayal of this is truly captivating. However, we also delve into the topic of coping with grief, which I must say, is far from simple. It’s a complex and challenging journey indeed.

2021 was a challenging year for us. We sadly had to say goodbye to several beloved dogs. Additionally, we’ve lost a few friends recently – one a month ago and another two months ago. This process has been quite peculiar, striking us in unexpected ways. The fact that he must endure this while continuing to be a dedicated father and excel at his job showcases the resilience of human beings. For a performer, such situations offer an extraordinary chance to truly act, as they can’t simply stick to one role. And I believe that’s what audiences crave – understanding the real person behind the character, not just the idealized version.

How would you describe your experience collaborating with fashion designer Waraire Boswell, who significantly influenced the look of Cross prior to his passing in July, during the production of this series?

Waraire, who I recently lost, was my long-time collaborator in our creative endeavors. Our last encounter was on set, a few months back. He was responsible for designing the main Cross look that day. For years, Waraire and I have worked together, bouncing ideas off each other to create diverse looks. When it came to this specific project, I consulted with Ben regarding his desired signature coat. I recommended Waraire, stating, “I believe he’s the perfect fit for this.

But that jacket, for me, stands as a testament to his legacy. And I’m so proud that they allowed us the opportunity going into this because that’s something I’ll always remember and I’ll always be able to hold dear. This is the biggest job of my life and I was able to take one of my great friends to create something special with me that really punctuates the moment in such a way that I can’t even express fully how amazing that is for me to be able to say I was able to touch these things in this way. Every part of it is really defining for me. And he’s a part of that legacy forever now. So anytime I see that poster with that jacket, anytime I see a scene where I’m wearing that coat it’s a sweet moment. I’m grateful that, at least throughout the seasons, we get to carry a piece of him with us.

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Currently, you can catch all episodes of “Cross” on Amazon Prime Video. Take a look at The Hollywood Reporter’s revealing interview with the series creator, Ben Watkins, as well as a sneak peek article by author James Patterson.

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2024-11-22 00:26