Denzel Washington's advice to Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was simply, 'Do what you know to do,' validating Mateen's approach to the role of John Creasy.
Mateen believes Hollywood is currently overly reliant on IP, often rehashing old ideas and products instead of fostering originality. This matters because it limits creative storytelling and the potential for new, impactful narratives.
He notes that Black success in Hollywood often leads to a surge of similar projects, highlighting a trend of studios seeking 'sure things' rather than taking risks on original content.
Mateen emphasizes the need for more original stories, believing they ultimately resonate more with audiences and lead to greater success. This perspective is crucial for understanding the creative landscape and advocating for diverse narratives.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, known for his diverse roles in projects like 'Aquaman' and 'The Trial of the Chicago 7,' took on the challenge of portraying John Creasy in Netflix's 'Man on Fire,' a role previously held by Denzel Washington. During the press run for the show, Mateen emphasized the importance of making the character his own, rather than simply imitating Washington's earlier performance.
In an interview on the 'All The Smoke' podcast, Mateen revealed that he reached out to Denzel Washington for advice. Washington's response was brief and to the point: 'What you asking me about? I ain’t got nothing to say. Do what you do.' This affirmation served as validation for Mateen's approach to the role.
Mateen also shared his thoughts on the current state of Hollywood, observing a trend of studios prioritizing IP and remakes over original stories. He believes this focus on 'flipping product' stifles creativity and limits the potential for fresh, innovative content. He also pointed out that success within the Black community often leads to studios trying to replicate that success with similar projects, further reducing originality.
He advocates for more original storytelling, arguing that these are the stories that ultimately 'win big' and resonate most deeply with audiences. Mateen's perspective highlights the importance of supporting and investing in new and diverse voices in the industry.
Q: What was Denzel Washington's advice to Yahya Abdul-Mateen II?
Denzel Washington told him to 'Do what you know to do,' encouraging him to trust his own instincts and approach to the role.
Q: What is Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's opinion on Hollywood's current focus on IP?
He believes Hollywood is overly reliant on IP, rehashing old ideas instead of fostering originality and new stories.
Q: Why does Mateen think original stories are important?
He believes original stories resonate more with audiences and ultimately lead to greater success in the long run.
Trust your instincts and skills, as validated by Denzel Washington's advice to Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.
Be aware of the trend in Hollywood to prioritize established IP over original content, and support diverse and innovative storytelling.
Original stories have the potential to make a more significant impact and resonate deeply with audiences.
What do you think about Hollywood's reliance on IP? Do you agree with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II that original stories are more important? Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!
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