James Patterson Says Tyler Perry Was All Business, No Ego On ‘Alex Cross’


James Patterson’s character Alex Cross has graced the silver screen, portrayed by Morgan Freeman in the 90s hit Kiss The Girls against villain and Dread Pirate Roberts, Cary Elwes.

James Patterson’s Alex Cross was again depicted in 2001’s Along Came A Spider, but 11 years on, the reboot has Tyler Perry in the lead role. If you think Morgan Freeman is a tough act to follow, particularly by the guy known mostly for films that begin with “Tyler Perry’s …” and end with drag, you’re not alone.

But James Patterson himself was very impressed with Perry upon his first meeting, and if you are a fan of the books and concerned about the appearance of a Medea-like character, Patterson says that Perry was very impressive upon their first meeting and the author was pleased with the casting for the new Alex Cross film.

Patterson sat down to discuss the latest adaptation of the books, and says that meeting Perry down at his flammable Atlanta compound gave him faith that the multi-talented actor would be a strong fit — the author explains:

“We went to Atlanta to meet him and he said, ‘James, I wouldn’t attempt this if I wasn’t sure I could pull it off. I have too much to lose and I wouldn’t try this, but I’m sure I can do it. And I’m going to submit to another director.’ And he did. There was no ego. He was all business. And I think he pulled it off. People are going to go, ‘Wow.'”

Of his thirst for bringing his works to the big screen, Patterson recalls a childhood during which a trip to the movies was a great treat — he says:

“… I’m a movie freak! I see everything. The Master, Taken 2, Hotel Transylvania. I see anything, any day of the week. My father grew up in the poorhouse … my mother cleaned the poorhouse. So growing up, for my one sister and I, going to movies on Saturday, that was it. And it was double features. I remember how exciting it was. That was the big thing for the week.”

Will you be checking out Tyler Perry as Alex Cross?

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