Method Man Turned Down a Role in ‘Girls Trip’: ‘I Read the Script — I Was Like I Feel Like I’ve Got to Take a Shower’
Method Man — who sometimes goes by his government name, Clifford Smith — became serious about his acting repertoire years ago.
The Wu-Tang star has been in TV and film productions, most recently appearing in Starz’s Power Book II: Ghost as Davis MacLean. Like many other actors, he’s had moments where he’s been choosy about which roles to take, and once turned down a shot at being in wildly successful Girls Trip.
‘Girls Trip’ killed it at the box office
2017’s Girls Trip starred Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall, and Tiffany Haddish in her breakout role. The film centered on four friends who roll out to New Orleans for the Essence Festival and end up having the trip of their lives.
While their partying takes a few hilarious and drastic turns, there’s also sex, romance, and some heartbreak. Though the foursome of Ryan, Dina, Lisa, and Sasha took center stage in the R-rated comedy, Larenz Tate, Mike Colter, and Kofi Siriboe’s characters all brought something to the table as love interests/mates.
The movie earned an A+ CinemaScore, received high marks on Rotten Tomatoes, and was a smash at the box office. Globally, it raked in more than $140 million and has since sparked talks about a possible sequel.
Why Method Man turned down a role in ‘Girls Trip’
Girls Trip was filled with a few surprise cameos, and had Method Man participated, he would have reunited with his Shaft co-star, Regina Hall. However, when the offer was extended to join the cast, he couldn’t get into it.
Method Man recently chatted with Jemele Hill on her Unbothered podcast, and among the things they covered was his almost-casting in Girls Trip. He passed on the part of Stewart.
“I was supposed to be that a-hole guy that Michael Colter played,” he said. “So when I read the script, I was like I feel like I’ve gotta take a shower. It was like I couldn’t relate to the guy. I like characters I feel like I can hang out with … But this dude was like ugh. I didn’t like him. I’m sorry. I just didn’t like him,” Method Man explained.
He went on to praise the movie and the casting choice, saying that Colter did an excellent job. Method Man joked that maybe there’s a chance he’ll appear in part two.
Where fans can currently watch the Wu veteran on screen
In addition to his role as the shady lawyer Davis MacLean, Method Man has some upcoming projects set for 2021, including the films Once Upon a Time in Staten Island and Last Looks. Fans can currently check him out on Netflix in Vampires vs. the Bronx and Teenage Bounty Hunters.
He also has a part in the Black western flick Concrete Cowboy alongside Idris Elba. Netflix recently snatched up the rights to the drama but there’s no word on the release date.
Tune in for Power Book II: Ghost to see more of Method Man’s character tackling the St. Patricks’ case.
