June 2001
An Interview with Don Cheadle

Interviewed by Wilson Morales

An Interview with Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle first caught out attention playing "Mouse" in "Devil in a Blue Dress." It’s a role he should have been nominated for, but that’s another story. Since then, he has been blessed with lots of good parts including last year’s role as a cop in the widely acclaimed film "Traffic." Now he’s back playing yet another cop in "Swordfish". He shares with blackfilm.com his thoughts on the film.

WM: Did you have to do any special research to play a cop because you also played one in "Traffic"?

DC: Yes, I had to do so that I’m not out of the realm of reality. This was a little unique because there are people who do this, but they’re not easy to find as a DEA agent.


WM: Since you played a cop before, did you have any reservations taking this role?

DC: No, I think they are two totally different people and the movies are completely different. I thought it would be alright. There are not enough roles out there for me to be stereotyped. So, I’m not even worried about that.


WM: Do you find yourself being offered the same roles?

DC: No, there’s not a lot, period. There’s not a lot of well written fully realized materials to jump to so it’s really a challenge to find those things that you want to do that are interesting, and that are different. When you get down to it, it’s a numbers game. There’s about 2 or 3 scripts a year that you really want to do and hopefully you’ll get a chance to do them if they’re not done by someone else.


WM: What made you decide to take this role?

DC: Dominic Sena, the director, called me in and said "I’ve got this part that I want you to do" and he sent me the script that wasn’t the right script and he sent me another script and still it wasn’t the right script and finally on the strength on his pitch, I said I’ll do it.


WM: Did you make any specific script suggestions?

DC: Along the way, none that I can recall specifically. Just total things and how I wanted the character to be portrayed. I’m always trying to make changes everyday as we go along. The script is constantly in flux.


WM: How do you compare Sena and Soderburgh?

DC: They couldn’t be more different. Stephen is really reserve and quiet and sometimes not even sure if he’s awake. Dominic is up and energized and sort of anxious. They are the antithesis of one another.


WM: Are you trying to develop some projects for yourself?

DC: I’m writing one now. Something that Universal / Imagine Pictures actually bought. I don’t know when I’ll be done but I’m still writing the script.


WM: Do you ever want to direct?

DC: Yeah, that question has been brought up a couple of times, but the timing hasn’t been right. Directing is basically a year out of your life. It’s been hard trying to find that year to be able to commit to that. Eventually it is what I want to do. I’ve directed a lot of theatre and directed a small film but never major.


WM: What’s coming up?

DC: I’m doing a play at the Public Theatre (in NYC) with Jeffrey Wright. George Wolfe is directing it. It’s called Top Dog /Underdog with only Jeffrey and myself. It’s a Suzan–Lori Parks play and it opens on July 26, 2001. Previews begin on July 10th.