Aldis Hodge Responds to James Patterson Not Accepting a 7-Figure Offer to Keep “Cross” Black: “It’s a Different Opportunity to Not Reinforce Stereotypes.”

Aldis Hodge is currently presenting how worth it is to keep intact the character known as Alex Cross, who has gained popularity via the pen of James Patterson, after understanding what the author did to make it true on-screen. Since 1993, by launching the Cross series, the author has gifted the world with more than thirty connected novels. At the center of the whole drama is a Black, distinguished, ace homicide detective and forensic psychologist from DC, who tries to keep the serial killers at bay. Since the character made its entry onto the public platform in early ’90s, nearly every title in the Cross series has gone on to become a bestseller. The narrative has been adapted into three different films — Kiss the Girls (1997) and Along Came a Spider (2001) starring Morgan Freeman, and Alex Cross (2012) featuring Tyler Perry. The new year 2024 would, however, bring the franchising company’s first television adaptation for the series Cross with Aldis stepping into the major character.

In a discussion with the Hollywood Reporter last month, James shared how he struggled with upholding the notoriety of Alex Cross, which necessitated him turning down an enticing offer when executives wanted him to alter his race: “Well, this is an interesting thing about the Hollywood Cross,” said James. “”When I penned the initial Alex Cross book, I truly wasn’t completely financially secure, and Hollywood was at my door — knock, knock, knock, knock, knock. “
. They had made the seven-figure offer, and it was a little underfunded for me. They said ‘We just need one change; we need Alex to be a white character.’ So I replied, ‘Damn you
.'” “It was hard, but I kept at it; so we didn’t go through with the sale immediately. But two years later, Paramount came calling, which led to a couple of films with Morgan. It was David Ellison from Sky dance who brought this about. David had been there since the beginning, and then along came the excellent part about Amazon, and I was able to meet Ben [Watkins] through that, which was really magnificent and then Aldis appeared after some time. great, and then Aldis come”

James said that childhood experience molded a character.Growing up in Newburgh, New York, the family had for a cook a Black woman named Laura, whom they took into their home for many years afterward.. James stated that he spent much time with her and treasured every minute of it. Wicing her family was better than spending some time with my family. They were intelligent, the music was fantastic, the food was delicious, and I got into playing basketball. Then, I would watch Hollywood movies, and there was a time there was Sidney Poitier – oh yeah, he’s dignified – and lots of movies with Black people with boomboxes. Really? That did not reflect my experience in Newburgh. So I started to write about this family I knew and about that town I knew.”

Well, while at The Root 100 gala on December 5 at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem-more on where he himself was being honored-Aldis conversed with me on taking the role of Alex Cross and on James not budging from that seven-figure offer to keep that character Black. “I learned about that story,” Aldis said to Buzzfeed. “I had no idea about it until it really hit me some months back.

“This assignment takes the role from me to step into these shoes-walking whenever I am seized in the line of authority or representation. For me, it is no small privilege and duty that I have been assigned. I just want to make that embrace fitting.”
“Quite frankly, I have been blessed to be in the right company as well: Ben Watkins, our show’s creator and show runner, is really big on embracing all kinds of shadows in the black community that we often don’t see or barely ever come across. That has been the essence of the show for him.”
I am actually proud to share the same team with all of them about their value alignment on matters such as cultural representation. Experiencing those views is another opportunity to confront stereotypes, demonstrate the truth about our identities, and contribute to the continual process of opening avenues for opportunity. That is for me what it means.
“Thanks a lot for talking to me, Aldis! Fans are loving you in this new popular series, including myself. In fact, Cross piled up to above 40 million views across the globe in just its first 20 days.”