For over 25 years, Ice Cube has cemented himself as one of the top creative voices in Hollywood. Since starring in a supporting role in the 1991 classic Boyz n the Hood, Ice Cube has over 50 credits as an actor or producer.
In his latest film, Ice Cube teams up with Kevin Hart in the hilarious action/comedy Ride Along. During the filming of Ride Along, rolling out got a chance to do an onset visit to speak with Ice Cube about the new film and working with comedic geniuses.
You have worked with some of the top comedians in Hollywood. What are your thoughts on Kevin Hart’s comedy style?
I think his brand of comedy is broader in many ways. He reminds me of a young Eddie Murphy. He’s witty and on time. He can pull it all off. He could pull off the physical. He could pull off the intellectual. He could pull off the settle. It’s cool to work with someone so good. I think Mike Epps is a genius; John Witherspoon is incredible and Kat Williams are all great comedians. Even Terry Cruz, who is not a traditional comedian, is sharp in a comedic way. I think this is everything you want to see from Kevin Hart. You have seen him doing standup. He is a better actor than standup comedian. He can deliver on screen what he delivers on stage. It’s just a great thing.
With Ride Along, it appears to be a funnier version of Training Day. Were there any influences from that film?
Our movie is 10 times funnier than Training Day, but we took “hard” from that. You borrow what is good. We were watching Midnight Run too. There is a lot of What About Bob kind of stuff in this too. In our film, Kevin [Hart] is annoying! He just knows how to take me from being the coolest cop in the room to wanting to choke him! He gets you there. It’s a little bit of all of those movies wrapped up into one.
You have directed and produced before. Were you involved from behind the cameras with this film?
I was able to add my two cents here and there, but I didn’t need to mess with Tim Story and Will Packer. It’s cool because I have a lot of responsibility in front of the camera and that’s where I want to keep my focus, in front of the camera. We beat out the scenes, but that’s about it. We haven’t been too out of line with the shots or anything, so I haven’t really had to step in on that level.
Ride Along will be released in 2014. Continue reading rolling out for more updates and exclusive interviews with cast members.
