Viewers expecting to see 50 Cent appear in BMF will be saddened to learn he turned down a role in the crime drama, however, he had the perfect idea for his replacement in the form of Snoop Dogg.
The rapper’s new show on Starz focuses on the incredible true story of brothers Demetrius ‘Big Meech’ Flenory and Terry ‘Southwest T’ Flenory who grafted their way from poverty in southwest Detriot during the late 80s to become one of America’s most influential crime families.
Black Mafia Family showrunner Randy Huggins opened up about the producer’s decision to stay behind the camera this time around after the pair collaborated on the uber-successful series, Power.
Speaking to Metro.co.uk about why 50 – real name Curtis Jackson – turned down the part of Pastor Swift, which Randy had written with the rapper in mind, he explained: ‘When myself and the writer were creating the role, we thought it would be cool if 50 came on to do it. He was like, “Yeah, I could do it. But Snoop would do it better.”‘
The suggestion came as a shock to the screenwriter as first as he continued: ‘I didn’t see it, but 50 had the vision to see that.’
Randy admitted 50 made the perfect call as Snoop perfectly brought the humourous role to life as he said: ‘I was so blown away by Snoop. I had no idea he is as funny as he is, as talented as he is.
‘He showed up ready to work, no messing around, worked really hard and stayed focused until they yelled cut.’
He continued: ‘We worked really hard, but we play just as hard. Between takes, the whole crew would be watching Snoop play spades with the crew… he turned it into a backyard boogie.
‘He keeps jokes coming and he’s very gracious. He stayed around to give autographs and stayed there until the last person got one. He could not have been more gracious, more professional. I fell more in love with Snoop having had him on our show.’
Randy also praised another casting decision made by 50 as he discussed how Demetrius ‘Lil Meech’ Jr. was brought on board to play his father, Big Meech.
The writer admitted: ‘I didn’t see it at first when 50 suggested it. But when Lil Meech got the opportunity, he knocked it out of the park.’
He continued: ‘Talk about the American dream. Due to the choices that Demetrius and Terry Flenory made, he was able to create this opportunity for his son who had never acted before.
‘That’s all you want is to be given an opportunity, and Little Meech was given an opportunity, worked his behind off and he nailed that opportunity.’
Randy added: ‘Now he is flourishing in our show. This is a whole other career Big Meech has given his son. All you want in life is for your kids to be better than you and have better opportunities than you had.
‘That’s probably not the way he scripted it but the way it played out, I’m not sure it could be played out any better.’
BMF premieres Sunday, September 26 on STARZPLAY in the UK and Starz in the US.
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