It is really unfair to be disappointed in a film because of bad casting luck early in its production. Alex Cross originally was meant to star the phenomenal Idris Elba as the titular detective, in what was supposed to be a more exciting and action oriented take on the character.
Then Mr. Elba had to back out and we got left with Tyler Perry. Now I don’t hate the films of Tyler Perry, I just never watch them. They are not made for me, so I don’t feel the urge to sit down with them. Perry was inoffensive enough in his brief role in Star Trek, so the news wasn’t immediately loathsome.
Then this trailer hits, and all the regret and lament for what could have been comes rushing back. For the people who do not know what Alex Cross is all about, here is the synopsis:
After Washington DC detective Alex Cross is told that a family member has been murdered, he vows to track down the killer. He soon discovers that she was not his first victim and that things are now what they seem.
Despite the lead, the film has some fantastic actors, and the trailer makes it seem that most of them are on their A game.
Check out the new trailer after the jump.
My biggest problem with Perry in the lead role is just how out-of-place he feels. Total judgement will be reserved until I have actually seen the movie, but based on the trailer Perry seems to be flailing around in the deep end of the lead man swimming pool. Hopefully Matthew Fox’s bug nuts crazy villain can be distracting enough.
