Actor Taye Diggs in the past has made remarks that have gotten him in hot water when it comes to race, but now Diggs is opening up the discussion of the role race plays in studio films. According to the actor big film studios have unrealistic expectations for black films.
Although Diggs has been involved in very successful all black films such as The Best Man Holiday, Brown Sugar, The Best Man, and How Stella Got Her Groove Back, he insists that there’s a double standard in the industry. During a recent interview the actor noted that the cast of Best Man are very enthusiastic to get started on a third film, but in order to do that they have to wait and see how other urban films perform. For one Think Like a Man Too is about to come out soon, and apparently Best Man’s chances of getting another film rides on whether or not that film is successful with audiences.
“Unfortunately, the business is such that as far as studios are concerned, they judge one quote-unquote black movie on how other ‘black’ movies have done, even if they have nothing to do with each other.”
Diggs understandable called this “ridiculously” frustrating as an actor. Right now Taye is the lead on a TNT drama called Murder in the First. Although it is frustrating, he does admit that things have changed and progressed for African Americans in the frame of cinema and the movie business structure.
“We’ve definitely come a long way. But we’ve got a long way to go. It’s too bad we can’t do well on our own merit when it comes to the studios. They don’t like to take risks and, unfortunately, we’re still considered a huge risk, even though I don’t think we are.”
Just for some perspective, The Best Man Holiday scored a whopping $70 million in North America. For a fringe romantic comedy that was dropped in a quarter where films go to die, this was considered very successful. According to senior analyst box office tracker Paul Dergarabedian he said the film was profitable.
In addition to Taye Diggs, the film also stars Morris Chestnut and Sanaa Lathan. According to a report neither actor wanted to comment on Diggs’ statement. That said, it wouldn’t be hard to figure why they wouldn’t want to put themselves out there on a limb given the status on the next film.
[Image via TNT]
