Movie News
Ejiofor as Black Panther?
Posted by Mister Hand (misterhand@filmschoolrejects.com) on August 16, 2007
As far as I’m concerned, he’s the best actor working in Hollywood today. Ryan “The Rican with the Irish Name” McLelland over at Latino Review.com seems to agree. He writes:
“The man can act. I swear he’ll have an Oscar in the next five years. He IS the next Denzel Washington and might even act better than him!!! He’s amazing no matter what role or movie he is in (Serenity always comes to mind and he was badass in that flick).”
The problem is that damned name: Chiwetel Ejiofor. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not about to diss the dude’s name. But ever since I saw him in Stephen Frears’ Dirty Pretty Things, I’ve been trying to tell people that this guy is phenomenal. The problem is, I can’t ever remember his name. When I was sitting in a movie theater with my girlfriend watching Serenity, the only thing I could think to say was, “Hey, it’s that… guy… from the… Dirty Pretty Things… movie. He’s awesome!”
Chiwoozis Emojopan?
Chisomething Eblabberdan.
McLelland hits the Denzel Washington thing right on the head–Ejiofor is every bit as good and better than Washington. Of course, that’s basically saying, “He’s better than the other black guy who’s really great!” Ejiofor is better than most of the white actors out there, too.
Anyway, I’m sure that eventually he will be ubiquitous enough that people will finally get the name through their heads. But there’s going to be plenty finger-snapping and staring at the ceiling tiles in the meantime for those who recognize his talent and care to pass the word along.
In the meantime, according to McLelland, John Singleton has mentioned Ejiofor as a good fit for the role of the Black Panther, should a film about that comic book hero ever be made. I read my first Black Panther comic when I was a kid. Stranded at my grandmother’s house in Durant, Mississippi (Population: 100) by my parents for the summer, I walked into a convenience store and found exactly one comic on the shelf: Black Panther. I enjoyed it very much, and followed his adventures for quite a while. So I’d love to see a film made. But for now it looks like it’s all just talk.
In the meantime, remember the name: Chidormfor Emanzipan.
On the Side: Ejiofor was the sole bright spot in the otherwise not-awesome film, Kinky Boots, playing a cross dresser.
Read more articles by Mister Hand
3 Comments
August 17th, 2007 at 8:39 am
This guy is the TRUTH! Haven’t seen him in a bad film yet…His turn as a DJ/manager in “Talk To Me” w/Don Cheadle was brilliant as well.
August 17th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
I wished I thought of this. His acting would take the Black Panther to a new level.
“Serenity always comes to mind and he was badass in that flick).â€
I was half way finish with “Childern of Men” before I realized who he was, he was like two different people like a real actor (Tom Cruse I am looking at you)
August 17th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Eddie and em, if you haven’t seen DIRTY PRETTY THINGS, go and rent it. It’s even more amazing to watch him AFTER you’ve seen SERENITY and some of his other work. The movie is quite good, mostly due to this performance.