Laurence Fishburne Talks ‘Slingshot’ Twist And His Beautiful Superman Legacy
Laurence Fishburne, an Oscar-nominated actor, continues to be one of Hollywood’s most sought-after performers, showcasing his versatility across a wide range of genres. His latest film, ‘Slingshot’, from Bleecker Street, features Fishburne as Captain Franks, leading a multi-year mission to Saturn’s moon Titan to extract vital natural resources.
Known for his impactful roles in science fiction, Fishburne has left an indelible mark with the ‘Matrix’ trilogy, alongside other notable projects like ‘Event Horizon’ (1997), ‘Predators’ (2010), and ‘Passengers’ (2016). His upcoming releases, including ‘Megalopolis’, ‘The Astronaut’, and the animated ‘Transformers One’, continue to reflect his affinity for the genre. However, Fishburne insists that his role choices are driven by a deeper connection to the stories rather than a specific agenda.
Image Courtesy: Variety
In discussing his role selection, Fishburne explains that he’s not consciously thinking about his past work in the genre when choosing new projects. Reflecting on Slingshot, he shares, “I was just really intrigued by the story and very surprised at the twist and the way that everything resolves itself — or doesn’t resolve itself, depending upon your point of view. It was written in such a way that I couldn’t figure out where it was going, and that is very exciting for me.
Fishburne also praises the film’s director, Mikael Håfström, and the production team for their ability to create an environment that is both expansive and claustrophobic, contributing to the film’s continuous tension. The design of the crew’s ship, where much of the action unfolds, plays a critical role in maintaining the film’s suspenseful atmosphere. This careful attention to detail in the film’s setting enhances the overall viewing experience, making the science fiction world of ‘Slingshot’ both immersive and unsettling.
Image Courtesy: Mashable
‘Slingshot’ marks Fishburne’s first collaboration with Casey Affleck, an actor whose work Fishburne has admired for years. “Big fan of Casey’s work and always wanted to work with him,” Fishburne says, revealing his deep appreciation for Affleck’s acting style.
Drawing a parallel between Affleck and the late trumpeter Chet Baker, Fishburne describes him as possessing a “great sense of lyricism, sense of humour… beautiful melancholy, genuine intelligence, and a great vulnerability and sensitivity.” This admiration reflects Fishburne’s respect for actors who bring a unique depth and authenticity to their performances.
Beyond his work in science fiction, Fishburne has also made significant contributions to the superhero genre. He portrayed Bill Foster in Marvel’s ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’ and Daily Planet editor-in-chief Perry White in Zack Snyder’s ‘Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’. Fishburne’s portrayal of Perry White has had a lasting impact, as subsequent versions of the character have followed his portrayal, casting Perry as a Black man, a departure from the original comic depiction.
Fishburne’s influence extends beyond his on-screen roles, as his performances continue to shape the way characters are cast and portrayed in Hollywood. When asked about the possibility of reprising his role as the Silver Surfer, a character he brought to life in 2007’s ‘Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer’, in the upcoming ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ film, Fishburne remains coy but hopeful, letting out a hearty laugh before saying, “Well, we’ll see.”
-Sushmita Sarkar
