‘Rampage’ Acting Out
Jake Rossen Jun 2, 2010
The Los Angeles Times ran a feature profile of Quinton Jackson
over the weekend. It was not flattering.
Jackson was captured spouting homophobic rhetoric, threatening a crew member on the set of “The A-Team,” and generally being dismissive of his newfound career choice. He openly wondered whether he shouldn’t have ditched the movie for his planned December date with Rashad Evans.
In the film industry, bad behavior is hardly a singular occurrence. Actors and filmmakers are doted on, entrusted with millions, and generally fed a sense of entitlement. (They’re also made to suffer 14-16 hour days, sometimes in uncomfortable conditions: monotony can make a jerk of anyone.) Jackson greeting new celebrity with a temper is hardly a news story, and if the film is a hit and Jackson a well-received component, the studios probably won’t much care. But if they feel like they can get Jackson’s charisma in another less-threatening actor, then they will.
It should be noted that Jackson has an uphill battle in getting tenure in the film business: few athletes are able to transition into acting; his other performances in films have been unreviewable. While he may excel as B.A. Baracus, remember that Mr. T did not have a long and prosperous career following his stint on the original TV series. For Jackson, range may be a problem outside of the ring, too.
Jackson was captured spouting homophobic rhetoric, threatening a crew member on the set of “The A-Team,” and generally being dismissive of his newfound career choice. He openly wondered whether he shouldn’t have ditched the movie for his planned December date with Rashad Evans.
In the film industry, bad behavior is hardly a singular occurrence. Actors and filmmakers are doted on, entrusted with millions, and generally fed a sense of entitlement. (They’re also made to suffer 14-16 hour days, sometimes in uncomfortable conditions: monotony can make a jerk of anyone.) Jackson greeting new celebrity with a temper is hardly a news story, and if the film is a hit and Jackson a well-received component, the studios probably won’t much care. But if they feel like they can get Jackson’s charisma in another less-threatening actor, then they will.
It should be noted that Jackson has an uphill battle in getting tenure in the film business: few athletes are able to transition into acting; his other performances in films have been unreviewable. While he may excel as B.A. Baracus, remember that Mr. T did not have a long and prosperous career following his stint on the original TV series. For Jackson, range may be a problem outside of the ring, too.
