While studying at Clark Atlanta University, comedic actor Justin Hires appeared in two Will Packer produced films, The Gospel and Stomp the Yard. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Media-Radio, his drive and ambition moved him to Hollywood where he hit the stand-up comedy circuit. Quickly recognized for his talent and intelligence, the observational hilarity of Hires was also well promoted on his YouTube sketch series which totaled upwards of 18 million views.
Written by ToneSwep
Images by Kevin Thomas
Hires’ comedic instincts coupled with his ability to capture dramatic elements landed him a breakout role in the action-comedy 21 Jump Street alongside Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill. Now Hires stars in the police procedural comedy Rush Hour on CBS. On the show, Hires plays LAPD Detective James Carter - who was portrayed by comedian Chris Tucker in the classic film trilogy – teaming up with actor Jon Foo, who plays Detective Jonathan Lee, his crime fighting partner. Hires sat down with editor ToneSwep to discuss stories that need to be told, women with stink breath, slavery on television, and how Rush Hour will introduce him to the world.
(Tone Swep: TS) Let’s jump right into Rush Hour, your new show on CBS. The premiere episode was DOPE. First you get kicked off the police force, then you’re back on the squad. And that fight scene in the warehouse with all of the statues was epic. Talk a little about your expectations for the series.
(Justin Hires: Justin) I think what’s so great about this show is that it’s unique to its time. There are no action comedies on network television right now. And it has a cinematic feel. We worked with a different director for almost every episode so you get a new movie every week. I just want to bring awareness to the show, and I’m proud to be a part of something new and fresh on television.
(TS) Movies based on books, like The Hunger Games and Harry Potter, have hit or miss success in Hollywood. Rush Hour is a TV series based on an action-comedy trilogy that grossed nearly a billion dollars at the box office. Any pressure there?
(Justin) I tell people that Chris Tucker is literally one of the reasons I got into comedy. Watching “Friday” did it for me. If I can be half as funny as Chris, and that’s exactly what I am, half as funny (Laughs!), than I’ve nailed it. I’ve done my job. Because I’ve been doing stand-up comedy for nine years, for that long, and in that period of time you develop your comedic voice. The key to this series is trying not to compare or compete with what Chris or Jackie did. The success lies in us bringing ourselves to the characters. Me bringing myself to Carter, Foo bringing himself to Lee.
(TS) How much of the show is based on the movie? And how much of the show is its own original animal?
(Justin) The first episode is a reboot of the whole Rush Hour film series. However, every episode thereafter is fresh material, new story, new director, different setting with all types of crazy scenes. A good way to look at the Rush Series is how it answers this question: what would those stories be like if they stayed in LA and fought crime on a day in, day out basis? So the series is Carter and Lee on duty every day in LA, solving crimes that take place in the city. Real detective work with a ton of comedy mixed in real well.
(TS) How competitive was the process of landing the Carter role? Certainly many actors were vying for that number one spot.
(Justin) It was extremely competitive, however, I missed out on much of that because I was brought in for auditions last minute. Almost every big name rapper, singer, actor, and comedian was brought in to audition for this role. Just know that your favorite rapper probably auditioned but didn’t get it (Laughs!). I know some of the people personally that auditioned and they’ve been nothing but supportive. They don’t need this little rush hour check. Me and my family on the other hand? We need this money (Laughs!). I couldn’t wait to get that check cashed (Laughs!). At the bank like, ya’ll can’t put no hold or nothing like that on my check. I need all my money now!
(TS) In the Rush Hour movie series the chemistry between Lee and Carter is what made films fly. Do you feel that the chemistry between yourself and co-star Jon Foo measures up?
(Justin) I think so. With myself and my co-star our natural personalities fit together perfectly. He’s a natural introvert and I’m a natural extrovert. He’s naturally quiet, a listener. I’m a talker. We play off of each other well and Jon has a real cool sense of humor and he displays that well in each and every episode.
(TS) Let’s talk a little about range. You’ve held down roles in 21 Jump Street, Stomp the Yard, and The Gospel before landing this lead role in Rush Hour. How much further can you extend your skill set?
(Justin) I think there is always room to grow. What’s so great about doing an action comedy is that people will see my range. I’m doing scenes with a lot of heart, and that will help showcase my range. The same way Tucker excelled with his version of Carter, I will do with mine. People will appreciate what I do in the drama department.
(TS) In a recent interview, Nick Cannon said there shouldn’t be any more slave movies. But with films like “The Help” and “12 Years a Slave” landing awards for Black actors, the argument could be made that without such projects the Oscars will lack nominations for people of color like it did this year. What’s your take?
(Justin) That’s a tricky question. I’m all about telling a great story. If a story is great, and serves a purpose, then I’m all for it being told. However, I do also feel that a film like Straight Outta Compton was deserving of an Oscar nomination. That’s not a slave movie and it should have been nominated. And the actors should have been awarded for their performances. The Nat Turner film by Nate Parker, The Birth of a Nation, is coming out later this year. I’m interested in seeing that, definitely a story that should be told. And see, that will probably receive a nomination if it’s done well but I don’t feel that only slave movies should be nominated. What do they consider as art? That’s what it boils down to, the academy. The decision makers. Are they really watching these movies? I remember being on set talking to one of the Rush Hour crew members and they hadn’t seen Straight Outta Compton or Creed. They didn’t think the themes were universal. I’m always for minorities working in Hollywood, talented people of color being granted opportunities. But if the creative professionals working in Hollywood don’t feel the themes are universal enough to even watch, then of course the academy likely won’t either. That’s the problem.
(TS) Do you see television series based on slavery like John Legend’s “Underground” doing well? Why or why not?
(Justin) I don’t know. I know they’re doing a solid show, but I think stories like that are best told with a miniseries. I don’t want to see 13 years of black people as slaves on television (Laughs!). Like, it can’t run Law & Order long for 20 years of us being bought and beaten, picking cotton and all that (Laughs!). Come on now! Just let Nat go in and wipe whoever is responsible out, we only need a mini-series to do that. One week max (Laughs!).
(TS) Do you feel the Black stereotypes in America are reinforced by the stereotypical character roles in Hollywood films and TV shows?
(Justin) I feel like African-American’s can be the toughest critics against their own people. So often we are more concerned with how other people are viewing us. White audiences aren’t as concerned with that. No one had a problem with Martin doing Sheneneh, or with Foxx doing Wanda. And we also didn’t have an issue with Robin Williams doing Mrs. Doubtfire, or with Dustin Hoffman playing Tootsie. We’re always concerned with how people are viewing us, though. The media can portray us in a bad light, but if people want equality you have to tell your stories as truthfully as possible. Even on Rush Hour, I talk loud, fast, and use profanity. I use the N-word. That’s me. That’s who I am. However, there are other African-American’s who don’t do any of that. Can we accept that difference? Or can we only be portrayed as one dimensional? We can’t always be worried about how another group is going to view us. Tell the stories. Produce the shows and make the movies.
(TS) You are a graduate of Clark Atlanta University. Why are so many HBC’s in danger of losing their accreditation? Why is enrollment down?
(Justin) Wow! You know, I was just in Atlanta. I went up to Clark to speak to the students. I graduated from there and it’s important for us to visit when we can so the current students see themselves in the future, if that makes sense. I’m not aware of all the issues HBC’s are facing, but I do know the best way to help is for the alumni to get more involved.
(TS) What actors and which films proved to be some of your early influences, work that helped shape your approach to the craft?
(Justin) Definitely Eddie Murphy in 48 Hours, Beverly Hills Cop, Trading Places, and Nutty Professor. Martin in the show Martin, Chris Tucker in Friday, Rush Hour, and especially Money Talks. He was incredible in that film. I really feel like Money Talks was Tucker’s best work. The Wayans Family with In Living Color, and just for their longevity as well.
(TS) You grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida, went to college in Atlanta, and you’ve since lived and worked in LA. What is going to be your next town to conquer?
(Justin) Actually, every country (Laughs!). And that’s because Rush Hour is being seen globally. And that’s important. That’s rare. I don’t know if viewers even realize that most shows aren’t picked up in countries around the world before the series even premieres. Rush Hour screened in Canada, Brazil, all over Latin America, the UK, and Asia. Hopefully the show will run for a long time, for many seasons to come. That will be my trip around the world.
(TS) What are the three must haves you simply will never leave home without?
(Justin) God, cash…. (thinking)… and my I.D. in case the police stop me. They’ll say that’s not your car, they’re quick to do that (Laughs!). They don’t believe you are who you say you are until you pull out that I.D. card.
(TS) Finish this sentence, I can’t take her home to meet mom if…
(Justin) … her breath stank. Breath has to be on point. She can’t be talking to my mama with no stank breath (Laughs!).
(TS) Is mom the type to politely inform the young lady that her breath is Satan hot?
(Justin) Nah (Laughs!), not at all. Not like that at all. My mom would probably buy her a tooth brush and some toothpaste and say: “Look what I found on sale at Albertsons just for you.”
(TS) Okay, Jus. Here’s a DOPE career question for you? You’re starring in a hot new action comedy on CBS, at only 30. College graduate, winning out here. What’s it going to take to sustain all this momentum you’ve worked so hard to make happen?
(Justin) I try to be a better person. My goal is always to be better today than I was yesterday. I want to work harder, smarter, create more. Down the line I want to have my own production company; create vehicles for not only myself but other upcoming actors and comedians, giving them a platform to tell their stories. I was told by Jonah Hill and Marlon Wayans that to achieve longevity in Hollywood you have to write. So I practice writing my own TV series’ and screenplays, telling stories that need to be told. All types of different stories. The African-American politician or gang member who turns his life around, or someone who joins the universal circus (Laughs!). There isn’t just one type of African-American who needs to be seen. Just as we see mainstream stories told in array without judgment, the same can and should be done with Asians, Latinos, Indians, Whites and African-Americans in film and on television. If it happened tell the story and let the people decide.