January 2003 Biker Boyz : An Interview with Derek Luke

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Interviewed by Monikka Stallworth Biker Boyz: An Interview with Derek Luke Derek Luke is on a roll and he’s happy. He’s beaming and through it all, managing to keep both feet planted firmly on the ground. His giddiness is infectious and his success is inspiring. I had the opportunity to speak with Derek about his latest starring role in the soon to be released action-packed motorcycle film, Biker Boyz. MS: Hey Derek, how are you doing? DL: I’m good, I’m good. You know who you look like, right? MS: Don’t tell me, Tracy Ross - the girl from Girlfriends. DL: Yes, (laughing) definitely, that’s who. MS: Moving right along. (Chuckle) So, it’s been just over a month since the release of Antwone Fisher and here we are talking about Biker Boyz; the two roles couldn’t be any more different. Many actors express grief about being pigeon holed or type-cast. How blessed and fortunate you are to be so new on the scene with two movies out at about the same time that actually show your range right out the box with two distinct projects. DL: And with two awesome actors (Lawrence Fishburne & Denzel Washington, man I just feel blessed. I don’t really brag about anything else, but working with those two guys, they’re incredible. MS: How was it working with Lawrence Fishburne? DL: We hit it off from the first day. So different from the characters we played. We always had intimate conversations and I think that was maybe a challenge. I didn’t want to talk to him too much because he’s a very seasoned actor. My approach to my character was a little more emotionally triggered for me, so I didn’t want to talk to him too much, but then, here comes Lawrence just talking, and talking and talking. He was just open arms with me. MS: Your life has certainly changed over the past few months. DL: Oh yes, I’ve been meeting some really interesting people; Al Pacino, Kathy Bates, Richard Gere; a lot of people including Cicely Tyson. MS: Has it been surreal? DL: Yes, it’s surreal, but it’s a comfortable surreal and that’s what’s so scary. It’s like sitting around certain people, and I’ll be quiet because I feel like I know them so well. And it’s not the intimidation of who they are; it’s more a respect for who they are. I feel at home with them. MS: To be so new on the scene, you certainly have command of the craft. To what would you attribute your acting maturity? Acting lessons? A God-given talent? What? DL: Well I believe He’s in charge of everything. When I came out here (LA) in ‘95 I took an acting class and I probably went like 15 times out of two years, everything else was about supporting my family. But I watched people - I watched people to their core, like I’m watching you now, all the elements, and what’s motivating the questions, I watch. I’m a watcher. MS: Are you a good biker rider now? DL: No, I’m an excellent rider now, come on now. (Laughter) MS: What’s next for you? DL: I haven’t thought about it. I don’t know. I believe the best is yet to come. I haven’t come this far to fail. So I just expect incredible, great things. I’ve been meeting a lot of “power players” and I think it’s revolutionary what they’re thinking about me for. MS: What do you do during your down time? DL: I’m a movie buff. Now I go to the movies and I hide and I try to act like I don’t want anybody to see me, but you know, you really do. It’s fun though, playing the whole celebrity role now. (Laughing) MS: How have you managed to keep your Jersey ways here in LA? DL: I go back from time to time; I stay in touch on the phone. And when I talk to my friends, they remind me of how blessed of an opportunity I’ve been given. It’s not like I won the Nobel Peace Prize, or got certain grades, so I always say there’s something bigger and greater than me, so I just feel honored because I didn’t do anything extra special. MS: Will you be traveling overseas to promote Biker Boyz? DL: No we’re staying on this side of the sea. MS: Biker Boyz won’t be screening overseas? DL: It will be released overseas, but we’re doing some international press here and it will be forwarded to all the press overseas. MS: Have you had a reaction to all of the attention you’ve been getting lately? DL: Yeah, I’m starting to twitch. (Laughter) Seriously though, yes it was very emotional at first. So many people, but I’ve got a good partner; she’s my strength, and she helps me focus on what’s important. It can be challenging when you constantly hear praises. MS: Thank you, Derek. DL: It was my pleasure.