Born and raised in South London, John Boyega, star of “They Cloned Tyrone,” reminisces about his childhood days sitting on his mattress, enthralled by Jamie Foxx’s performances on “The Jamie Foxx Show” and his Oscar-winning portrayal of Ray Charles in “Ray.” For Boyega, the opportunity to collaborate with Foxx on the conspiracy caper film was a dream come true as revealed by Variety.
Foxx, in Boyega’s eyes, has been a major inspiration and a guiding force in his career, opening doors and providing valuable opportunities. Boyega expressed his deep appreciation for Foxx’s influence on his journey as an actor and expressed gratitude for the support Foxx has shown him.
While Boyega has achieved remarkable success of his own, starring in films like “Attack the Block” and the “Star Wars” trilogy, as well as delivering acclaimed performances in projects like “The Woman King” and Steve McQueen’s “Small Axe” anthology series, witnessing Foxx’s process up close left an indelible mark on him. Boyega recalls being in awe of Foxx’s ability to effortlessly absorb and deliver pages of new dialogue, showcasing what he describes as “movie star stuff.” Foxx’s generosity, infectious energy, and positive demeanor further solidified his admiration for the veteran actor.
In “They Cloned Tyrone,” Boyega, Foxx, and Teyonah Parris portray characters embroiled in a conspiracy after stumbling upon a nefarious government organization. Boyega plays Fontaine, a hustler, while Parris takes on the role of Yo-Yo, a working woman, and Foxx embodies the character of Slick Charles, her pimp.
Unfortunately, Foxx was unable to attend the festival premiere due to a medical complication that led to his hospitalization in April. Although the details of his health issue remain undisclosed, Foxx’s daughter, Corrine Foxx, shared an update in May, stating that he was on the road to recovery.
While the cast and crew respected Corrine Foxx’s request for privacy, producer and Macro founder-CEO Charles D. King expressed encouragement upon seeing Foxx share the film’s official trailer on social media. King highlighted the privilege of working with Foxx, Boyega, and Parris, considering it a masterclass in acting.
Producer Stephen “Dr.” Love praised Foxx for his humility and willingness to be directed by first-time filmmaker Juel Taylor. Foxx’s supportive attitude and positive presence on set created an enriching environment for all involved. Love emphasized the legendary status of Foxx and extended thoughts and prayers for his recovery, emphasizing his importance to the industry.
