I admire Mr. Jackson's honesty.

Why don't more singers follow the Mark Wahlberg and LL Cool J method- go for bit or supporting roles and then work your way into bigger parts as you prove yourself.

Another reason why Mr.Jackson is great.

Heehee, I thought you were going to pick that one up John!

Now if he would stop showing up in crap like XXX2.

50 cent better come up with something good. I hear mumbling in his music and speech, so I wonder why anyone would wanna sit and watch a rap guy mumble for 90 minutes. I agree with what Ben said. Thats the way to go.

and this is coming from the guy who's starring in a new movie with ashanti. how noble.

Wow, it's people like you guys (almost everyone posted here!) that make it so hard for anyone in this world to catch a break. John Campea, I'm ashamed with you for using Star Wars anywhere in your post, it shows the foundation of your ignorance. Lucas, my "friend" is the king of Hollywood because he took a chance on a few nobodies...thus years later allowing him to be in the same social sphere as Samuel. And besides the film industry is all based on money anyways...on both sides of the Samuel/50 acting spectrum. Everyone should take a deep breath and remember...it should be about art, simply creating films that pass on an inspirational energy. Like American Graffiti did, so may this film capture the angst and driving energy of a generation. So if you don't like my friends, simply save your money for the next cheap "summer hit" filled with posh actors/actress'.

J.J.A. Missed a very important thing in his rant above.

Yes, most of the actors in Star Wars were unknows. BUT THEY WERE ACTORS!!!! NOT SINGERS! They had all been acting for YEARS. Just because they weren't well known doesn't mean they weren't REAL actors. Just because they hadn't had a big movie deal yet doesn't mean they weren't actors.

Lucas ALWAYS used actors. Real actors. Not famous ones all the time... but actors nonetheless.

John Campea I must thank you for that correction...but I simply ask: If money were to be taken out of the equation would it matter? I mean Samuel didn’t protest acting along side Ashanti in Coach Carter, does this mean that he sanctions the fact that [she] came into this world and that he thinks [she] is worthy…to share his time on screen? Who draws the artistic line between Acting and singing? I could imagine being young and rich like 50 cent or even Ashanti; once you're there why wouldn’t you dabble in anything you want? Doesn’t money grant anyone or any message a podium to present from now days anyways? I mean there are much greater travesties occurring in entertainment today i.e. any reality program. The point I’m trying to make here is how amusing your post was: “…Tell whoever had the bright idea of giving 50 Cent a leading role to cork it their ear. He's not worthy of sharing a screen with you...and it's a total joke that someone thought of it in the first place.” What I meant to say in my previous rant is that I disagree with you. The movie is loosely based on 50’s life hence his leading role and the person pulling the cork out of his ear is JIM SHERIDAN. So for the sake of debate; if you had implied that Samuel did not agree with the “thug life” image 50 portrays I would have agreed. But to say that 50 cent is not worthy of a leading roll is a little blind to what really goes on in Hollywood – making money, money, and more money. If 50 didn’t have it then this topic wouldn’t exist meaning that he wouldn’t have the connections that are allowing him to prance over the Mark Wahlberg approach to Acting.

Ashanti isn't the lead in the movie. She has a supporting role to Jackson. Getting a role has nothing to do with having money. Nothing at all. It's about studio heads thinking that mis name might make money. History shows that they are dead wrong.

I agree with J.J.A.

Oh really Matthew? You agree with J.J.A.? Wow... that's surprising. Really, I'm honestly shocked that you would agree with him... ESPECIALLY SINCE YOU ARE HIM. You see Matthew/J.J.A., I can see your IP address when you post a comment.

Seriously, posting comments with different names is a really sad sad sad way to make it look like you know what you're talking about.

This site is all about talking, and debating, and sharing differing ideas... but what you just did is sad.

Perhaps you can get a few other of your alter egos to post agreeing comments too. Will that make you feel better?

I agree with John.

I'm sorry to everyone that I posed as myself and then tried to defend myself as two different people...something must be wrong with me! Who does that? I must now climb the steep hill of establishing my credanility and pride once more...

Like I said John Hates rap. He hates Chris rock, and 50 cent. He talks so much trash on the internet. He uses what sam jackson says to try to pin one person against the other. I cant stand it either when rappers make movies but that is only because the movie isnt quality. Now 8 mile was pretty decent. If all movies were like that then It would be okay, or something like Boyz in da hood. But since you got the wack master p films with talentless thugs it just becomes too much.

But again, what about other people in movies besides rappers. John you just dont get american culture go watch you winnipeg team on ice or something, if they still play.

I guess there is no big deal about all this as I see no reason why Jackson can't feature in this film.I mean not until he gets to see 50 performing in 5 movies at least he too started somewhere and somehow.

Can anyone tell me the title of the rap video that Samuel jackson was in recently?

he sits in a black car

thanks!

it's simple, Money might be able to get you connections, connections could get 50 cent a leading roll on the big screen, but money can't get you a "a list actor" to star with. even 50 cent should know this, just like he did with his music, he's gotta do the same with film, "pay your dues". just like sam said, "5 movies".