Rapper/actor Common sat down with theGrio’s senior editor, Demetria Irwin, to talk about his new film Hunter Killer. In the submarine thriller, Common plays Navy vet John Fisk who is charged with overseeing a dangerous mission headed up by a rule-bending wildcard (Gerard Butler) who has his own ideas about how to keep himself and his crew alive.
Splashy special effects make move-goers feel like they’re in a submarine barreling into the dark depths of the sea. Sprinkle in tension, suspense, international espionage, Russian interference, lots of guns and explosions, and you have yourself a potential box office smash.
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Common is no stranger to the big or small screen. With more than 60 acting credits in his resume (10 from this year alone), the rapper/actor has definitely kept himself busy. “It’s the love of the art. I’m really grateful and I look forward to doing film, acting work, TV work, theater and I’m super passionate about music also,” Common tells theGrio.
You can catch Common in The Hate U Give and Small Foot (both released this year) and he’s part of a super group with Robert Glasper and Karriem Riggins called August Greene. They dropped their eponymous album this past winter and it features vocals from the likes of Grammy Award winning singer Brandy.
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Speaking of Grammys, did you know that Common is one letter away from attaining EGOT status (Emmy/Grammy/Oscar/Tony) like his friend and collaborator John Legend? Common is missing a Tony, which could be on the way since he mentions working in theater.
Watch the video below to find out how he manages to juggle all of this and what he plans to challenge himself to do next!
Hunter Killer is in theaters nationwide on October 26th.