Ice-T is Skeptical of a 'New Jack City' Sequel: "I Just Don't Know How They Could Flip It"
In an interview with HipHopDX, Ice-T says he doesn't think a reboot would work for multiple reasons.
The recent wave of Hollywood remakes continues to spark pushback.
In September, sources told Deadline that Warner Bros. would soon announce a remake of the 1991 classic New Jack City, with Snowfall writer/actor Malcolm M. Mays taking on writing duties. In an interview with HipHopDX's Kyle Eustice, Ice-T, who played detective Scotty Appleton in the original, was unimpressed with the idea of an updated version.
READ: Ice-T Shares With Us The Secret History Of New Jack City
The Law and Order: SVU star cited multiple reasons, including the specificity of the era and the high bar set by the original. "I don't know if they're going to be able to pull it off for a couple reasons," he told Eustice. "One...It's going to be hard to match Nino Brown. Wesley [Snipes] did a legendary performance...two, I think that movie had a lot to do with timing. It was about the crack era during the crack era."
Nino Brown agrees with the notion and has been vocally critical of the remake. Ice-T further commented on the modern shift in the narcotic landscape, as well as previously-released reboots.
"So right now, you're in an opioid epidemic," he told Eustice, "but I just don't know how they could flip it...I mean, they tried to remake Superfly and that sucked. I mean, it was a valid attempt, but you can't make a movie that's a big music video."
Ice says that he heard of the remake through the Internet and hasn't been contacted, but would like to at least get an idea of the filmmakers' intentions, though he firmly believes the film's legacy should be left untouched, adding "I definitely would want to read the script. I wouldn't want to mess with it...I don't wish them bad luck, but I think it's going to be very difficult to pull it off."
Warner Bros. has yet to announce an official release date.
SOURCE: HipHopDX