12BB AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP WEDNESDAY , JUNE 13 , 2018
Actor Trevor Jackson Takes Leap as Leading Man in “ Superfly ” Remake
By Russell Motley
Trevor Jackson is one “ bad mutha … shut-yo-mouth .”
At 21 , he ’ s not old enough to recall firsthand the popular ‘ 70s catch phrase . However , Jackson – best known as Aaron in ABC ’ s “ Grown-ish ” – now tackles a more challenging role that offers a modern spin on the 1972 cult classic “ Super Fly .”
“ I really just tried to find someone that I thought was very cool , but who I was also very afraid of ,” said Jackson , describing his character Youngblood Priest , a drug dealer trying to score one last big deal before calling it quits . “ He follows his own rules . He doesn ’ t like to kill . He ’ s never intentionally hurt anybody . He only retaliates when he feels disrespected . He treats everyone with respect and carries himself like a king in this film .”
The remake ( spelled “ Superfly ”) opens the 22nd Annual American Black Film Festival on June 13 . The film differs from the original in several ways . For starters , it ’ s set in Atlanta , Georgia instead of Harlem , New York . The remake also introduces a younger protagonist , which Jackson said initially worked against his chances of landing the role . Jackson recalled auditioning twice , only to be told he was too young for the part . Then he received a call from “ Superfly ” producer Joel Silver ( The Matrix trilogy , Die Hard ) that changed his life .
“ Joel invited me to his house and I thought I was going to have to audition again , so I brought my script ,” Jackson told MIA magazine in a phone interview from Los Angeles , where he resides . “ As soon as I walked in he asked , ‘ Do you want to do this movie with us ?’” Jackson said he cried all the way home . After all , it would mark his first leading role in a major release . For the last 14 years , Jackson said he ’ s been preparing for this moment , first launching his career on Broadway as Young Simba in Disney ’ s
“ The Lion King ,” then later moving to Los Angeles where he appeared in TV shows including “ Criminal Minds ” and “ American Crime .” Directing remake of Blaxploitation classic Jackson isn ’ t the only one making a career leap . “ Superfly ” also marks the first feature film for Director X , who built a career directing music videos for top artists such as Drake , Justin Bieber , and Nicki Minaj .
Director X said he felt a responsibility to do justice to the legacy of the original , which starred Ron O ’ Neal . “ I directed a film that builds on the special elements of the original and evolves them for 2018 ,” Director X said in a statement . “ The story , fashion , cars , hair , and music all have added relevance for today with an extra twist of style .”
Jackson ’ s hair in the film takes on a life of its own – a straightened bouffant
Trevor Jackson plays career criminal Youngblood Priest who wants out of the Atlanta drug scene , but one little slip up threatens to bring the whole operation down before he can make his exit .
that only someone who is super fly , literally , could pull off .
“ I really wanted it to be straight to capture the essence of the first [ movie ],” said Jackson , who went back and forth with Joel and Director X about how to wear his hair . “ It ’ s part of his uniform . It ’ s part of his aesthetic .”
Super fly soundtrack With ATL as the backdrop comes a new-school soundtrack produced by native son Future . He appears on 10 of the 13 tracks , which features artists such as PARTYNEXTDOOR , Miquel , Lil Wayne , and 21 Savage . The album pumps mostly dope-boy rap tracks with a few tender ballads – solid , yet worlds apart from Curtis Mayfield ’ s legendary “ Super Fly ” soundtrack .
“ The reason why I think Future is so essential to the making of this movie is because he ’ s the voice of the new generation and what these kids are listening to … what they turn up to ,” said Jackson . “ It embodies the essence of where this movie was shot and what it represents .”
Jackson is a crooner himself . He recorded music for the “ Superfly ” soundtrack , however , it didn ’ t make the cut . Jackson ’ s latest musical 15-track project is titled “ Rough Drafts , Pt . 1 ,” which he penned . He expects to release new music in September .
For now , Jackson said he ’ s looking forward to attending the ABFF for the first time .
“ I don ’ t know what to expect ,” he said . “ Just trying to keep my head on straight because I know Miami Beach is a great place to be .”
“ Superfly ” ABFF Opening Night Film
June 13 , 8 p . m ., Fillmore Miami Beach Hits theaters June 13 .