Pressure is mounting on Chris Rock to pull out as host of this year’s Oscars after not a single non-white actor received a nomination.
Ice Cube and Kevin Hart, co-starring in Ride Along 2, might condemn the upcoming 88th Academy Awards – but they told JOE exclusively they believe funnyman Rock should proceed with the job he’s been booked to do.
Kevin said: “If I was Chris Rock, I would 100 per cent go ahead with what he was signed up to do. You can’t put that problem on him. Chris Rock is very opinionated, I’m sure he’ll make sure his voice is heard however he sees fit.
“But you’re looking at two guys who couldn’t care less about the situation.”
‘Straight Outta Compton’ was snubbed by the Oscars despite being hailed by fans and critics and taking $200m at the box office, but its producer Cube is focusing on the ones who flocked to the cinemas to watch the biographical drama film.
“We don’t do movies for the industry, he said. “We do it for the public and the general audience and they came out in droves and supported, they support our films and to me they are the real Oscars, the peoples’ love for the work.”
When half of the duo found and helped define the rap group N.W.A and the other is one of the most successful comedians in the world, it’s understandable there’s a mutual appreciation.
Ice Cube is known for his serious, almost stern disposition, basically cool as f*ck, but he’s way softer around Hart laughing at his jokes and impersonations.
They’ve been reunited for a second time for the sequel to the blockbuster action-comedy Ride Along 2, which picks up around a year after their last adventure. Plans for a quick trip to Miami go awry when their unorthodox policing gets Ben Barber (Hart) and soon to be brother-in-law James Payton (Cube) into a compromising situation which threatens to derail a major case – as well as Ben and fiancee (James’s sister) Angela’s wedding day.
We met them in London after witnessing their adventures in Atlanta on screen. And after discussing stunts on their new film, the Oscar diversity row, talk turned to Joe Hart and Man City.
They visited the Blues training ground for a penalty shoot-out with City and England keeper J. Hart -Kevin’s ‘white brother’. Kevin told us he ‘whipped Joe Hart’s ass’…
It seems Kevin was paying attention to Manchester in more ways than one during their visit.
We asked the funnyman for his best Manchester accent, which, like his shots on goal, might need some work.
In case you’re wondering what he’s saying, it’s ‘Do you have any Nutty Bar!? A Nutty Bar and some tea!?’
