July 6, 2015
By Wilson Morales
Tarsem Singh’s Self/less, stars Ryan Reynolds, Natalie Martinez, Matthew Goode, Victor Garber, Derek Luke, Michelle Dockery, and Academy Award-winner Ben Kingsley.
In this provocative psychological science fiction thriller, an extremely wealthy man (Academy Award-winner Kingsley) dying from cancer undergoes a radical medical procedure that transfers his consciousness into the body of a healthy young man (Ryan Reynolds). But all is not as it seems when he starts to uncover the mystery of the body’s origin and the organization that will kill to protect its cause.
For Luke, who plays Anton, a friend of Ryan’s character who has ulterior motives, it’s his first role since he was last seen playing Head of Security Malcolm on the hottest show on TV, Fox’s Empire. A veteran of film and TV, Luke will next been in the 3rd season of DirectTV’s Rogue, which stars Thandie Newton.
Luke spoke with Blackfilm.com recently how much fun he had doing ‘Self/ less’ in New Orleans as well as being of Empire’s first season.
What drew you to the role and film?
Derek Luke: What drew me to the role is that I’m a fan of the action-genre and in reading the script, I said to myself, “In movies that I grew up watching were action thrillers and suspense, and I was interested in that world.” Another thing is that I get to be in movies where it’s mostly dialogue, and I want to be in something, that for me, feels like kickboxing. You get to do both sports. For me, you get to speak and you get to do action. What I liked about Anton is that he’s a guy who is submerged in playing opposite Ryan’s character, even though they are both going after the same thing.
How much did you prepare for the role physically?
DL: I actually broke my finger on the court playing basketball while shooting the film. I didn’t realized it was broken until we wrapped production. I like physicality. There was much more physical elements to the movie that didn’t make the cut, but I enjoyed it because me and Ryan, and neither one of us were one the playing basketball every day, but what was dope and playing this role is that I would go where the brothers were playing and I forgot what Ward I was in, and it would take the crew at least five takes to realize it was me playing. I just like playing with the dudes and having conversations with them. It was great on one side on the physical element and on the other side, it was great to be on the court with Ryan. Both of us were acting our way through those scenes.
While you were playing basketball in New Orleans, how much weight did you lose?
DL: Oh my goodness. There are two aspects to that question. How much weight can you lose playing basketball, but when you’re playing basketball in New Orleans where the food is great, it tries to even you out. I had to go into detox while I was in New Orleans.
How was working with Ryan again and seven years after you guys did ‘Definitely, Maybe?’
DL: The big difference for me is that I’ve watched Ryan evolved. He was really focused and remained focused and I could see what he was aiming for in ‘Definitely, Maybe,’ and it was great. It was encouraging because it made me become goal oriented and goal conscious when I’m doing films. Today, it’s about the individual goal and staying in your lane. That wasn’t the case five years ago.
What did you pick up from Tarsem from this film?
DL: What I love about Tarsem outside of being a visual storyteller, I looked at him as a man of color on set. He was running the set like a general and he knew his stuff. I loved the way he commanded the set. It was very inspiring and it was so diverse with the cast, in front and behind the scenes.
Besides this film, you were seen this year on the hottest show on TV, Empire. How was it being on that series?
DL: First of all, I have respect and love for Terrence (Howard). There were many experiences I had but I’ve been a friend to both Terrence and Taraji over the years. I’ve known Terrence much better. I actually ran into Taraji maybe once or twice over the last five years. It was great because when we were on set if felt like magic. Could this be happening? All the actors fought for their scenes to be authentic and real. That’s not rare, so what’s rare is to have the crew back that up. That’s what I thought was cool.
Any chance Malcolm can come back?
DL: I really think it’s a great chance. It’s not that many miles from Chicago to D.C. so I believe Malcolm left but there’s always a round-trip ticket.
As long as you have been in the business, would you say that Empire gave you a lot more visibility, at least in recent times?
DL: People wonder how film and “going digital” has affected the market or how has it affected me, nowadays things are so much more instant. When I started out in films, it would be a year before the movies would come out. Empire and The Americans have brought a newness I wasn’t aware of. I didn’t know that TV and cable had that much attention. When I would do these shows, I had a temporary mentality. I would get in and get out. A couple of years ago, some TV characters were one dimensional but today even filming in Toronto, which is a very diverse place, people would stop me and ask when is Empire coming back. These people don’t look like m. There are Asian. They are Russian. It’s really interesting.
What’s next?
DL: I play Marlon Dinard on the new season of Rogue. He’s the leader of the 13th Street Kings, a powerful street gang. He also runs a high-end chandelier shop and he has a relationship with this other character Marty Abrams, played by Richard Schiff. Their relationship is that Marty feels Marlon owes him more than he does and Marlon is a part of the Chicago Street Kings. I’m excited about that.
