There are some things that get better with age: cheese, wine, Michael K. Williams.
After his breakout role as Omar on The Wire, the 47-year-old actor’s career has taken off, and he’s just hit his prime. Since then, Michael has built up quite the resume by starring alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in Snitch, as Chalky White for five seasons of Boardwalk Empire, and snagging a supporting role in 12 Years a Slave.
For his latest appearance, we see Michael suited up in a wardrobe that even Chalky would kill for, but not for a new role in a Hollywood blockbuster or hit TV series. During a sit-down with Page 31 magazine, he opened up about how he prepares for roles, the importance of historically aware films and what’s next in his blooming career.
Keep on reading for tidbits from his interview.
On why we need more movies like 12 Years a Slave:
“I think the more stories that we put out about that part of American history, the better. The more knowledge that other races know about what happened in America in this particular time during the Middle Passage and slavery days in this country, I think that it helps the healing process, at least for our people.”
Why he didn’t play Django over Jamie Foxx:
“Steve McQueen and Quentin Tarantino’s approach to telling the story were so vastly different—very creative and thoughtful, but different. It would have been a pleasure to be a part of Django, but scheduling didn’t work out for me in regards to Boardwalk Empire, where it did as far as 12 Years.”
On starring in the upcoming movie The Gambler with Mark Wahlberg:
“When I started acting, you know, it was always a dream of mine—even when I was just doing bit parts. Like featured extra extra extra parts. I always had this dream that I wanted to be in a movie with Mark Wahlberg. That was something I said in the early 90s. I said, one day I’m going to do a movie with Mark Wahlberg. It’s going to be a buddy movie, it’s going to be this, that and the third. And…who would’ve thunk it.”
Check out what else he had to say in his video interview below, and head on over to Page 31 for more.
SOURCE: PAGE 31
