The second film in the revival of the cult classic Shaft premiered Tuesday night at the AMC Lincoln theater in front of a star-studded audience of NFL, NBA, and other Hollywood talent. I had a second to chat with Samuel L. Jackson while he was on the red carpet.

I asked Jackson about his role as Shaft and his other action counterpart Nick Fury, who he plays in Spider-Man: Far From Home which premieres next month, and whether or not they could exist in the same Marvel Universe (yes, they are totally separate franchises; however, the trailers for the Spider-Man movie have led us to believe that there is a multi-verse).

With that said, I took a shot in the dark and asked, “Do you think they could exist in the same universe?” Jackson laughed and confirmed that “yes, they could defiantly exist” and followed that by saying, “the two characters would have an interesting conversation.”

He moved on before I could get to my second question (“Who would win in a fight?”).

For now, I will leave that to the imagination of you, the reader, comic book collectors and moviegoers. You might get a good hint at who would win when you check out Shaft — the movie is the unabashed action comedy of 2019, a breath of fresh air to help kick off the Summer.

The post ‘Shaft’ Premiere: Samuel L. Jackson Laughs at the Idea of Shaft & Nick Fury Existing in the Same Universe appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

For those that missed the event or didn’t live close enough to attend, here are some of the trailers/teasers/promos you missed:

The Vampire Diaries season 8 teaser:

This trailer compiles snippets of previous Vampire Diaries villains like Klaus, Katherine, Rebekah, Kai and Silas and leads us to a sneak peak of evil herself. We only see a hand coming out of a pool of blood. Who is this evil entity and what havoc is she wreaking on our beloved characters? Check out this in-depth article on season 8 to find out.

More on The Vampire Diaries season 8

Season 8 premieres Friday October 21^st on The CW.

The Originals season 4 trailer:

Season 4 of The Originals jumps 3 or more years into the future. Hope is now a toddler who can talk. The trailer kicks off bits of Klaus’s past detailing his wrong doings, how he and his family became vampires and a voice over of him detailing the agony and pain he has caused those around him. We then see exactly where Klaus left off last season; buried alive in a brick wall by Marcel. The trailer ends with Hope asking her mother, Hayley if they are going to go get her dad. It’s time to wake up the family and introduce them to a grown Hope.

The Originals will have a Mid-Season return in 2017. No specific date has been released yet.

Once Upon A Time season 6 trailer:

Last season Regina removed the Evil Queen side of herself and proceeded to crush it. Unfortunately, as we all know, the Evil Queen did not in fact die. She is alive and well and is out to get revenge on Regina for trying to push her away. How long can Regina keep her at bay? Will she revert back to her evil ways? What does this all mean for the residents of Story Brooke? Another evil is still lurking in Story Brooke as well. Mr. Hyde has his heart set on ruling Story Brooke and making it his home. We will see him team up with the Evil Queen to get what he wants?

Season 6 will premiere Sunday September 25^th on ABC.

DC Legends of Tomorrow season 2 trailer:

The Time Masters are gone and The Legends are left to pick up the pieces and keep history intact. They must guard history and protect it from time criminals. In this trailer we also meet Rex Tyler a member of The Justice Society of America (The pre-Justice League group). We also catch a glimpse of what is sure to be an epic battle between Damien Darhk and The White Canary (Sara Lance). It looks like The Legends will be meeting a lot of new faces from the DC Universe, especially now with the mention of the Justice Society of America.

Season 2 premieres October 13^th on The CW.

The Flash season 3 trailer:

Last season Barry went back in time and saved his mother, altering the world he once knew. In this alternate universe Barry no longer knows Joe or Iris and Cisco is now the richest man in America. In this trailer The Reverse Flash is back and informs Barry everything he is witnessing is a mirage. We also get a clip where Alchemy is written on the wall. For those not familiar with the DC Universe, Dr. Alchemy aka Mr. Element aka Albert Desmond is a notorious chemist with a personality disorder who uses talents as a chemist to create elemental weapons. According to Deadline, as Desmond, he works in the forsenics lab of Central City’s Police Department. Doctor Alchemy also possesses the Philosopher’s Stone which once belonged to Merlin. By pressing the stone it allows Doctor Alchemy to transmute any element into any other element (ie: Steel into rubber or healthy oxygen into deadly carbon monoxide). He also possesses the power to transform the human body, having once turned The Flash into a being of water vapor.

Kid Flash also makes an appearance in the trailer. Will we see Kid Flash and Barry team up to defeat Mr. Element and restore everything back to the way it was?

Season 4 premieres Tuesday October 4^th on The CW.

Game of Thrones season 7 teaser:

This teaser gives a unique insight on the production of Game of Thrones. We get a glimpse of the craftsmanship that goes into creating this spectacular television series. A treat we don’t normally get to see.

Season 7’s release date has not yet been announced but we do know that this season will not start in April like it normally does. Due to weather delays and a need for snow, it looks like we may not see it air until May or June.

Arrow season 5 trailer:

In the aftermath of defeating the Ghosts and Damien Darhk, Oliver assembles a new team of heroes to help protect Star City. These members were inspired by Oliver’s relentlessness in spite of adversity and his ability to defeat Darhk. Oliver begins training these new vigilantes in order to help the city and keep his promise to Laurel to not revert back to his old ways of wanting to handle everything himself. We also see clips of Oliver in Russia and the rise of a new villain.

Season 5 premieres Wednesday October 5^th, 8/7c on The CW.

Wonder Woman trailer:

Bada** woman alert! Warner Bros and DC Films are definitely doing Wonder Woman justice in this film. Gal Gadot perfectly embodies the bada**ery that is Diana Prince. The slow-mo shots of Gadot in action in this trailer are incredible. This trailer is giving us high hopes about the film in its entirety.

Wonder Woman hits the silver screen June 2^nd, 2017.

Justice League trailer:

This trailer alone has turned me into SUPER GEEK! Aquaman, The Flash, Batman, Wonder Woman and Cyborg all coming at you while The White Stripes’s Iggy Thump plays in the background. Barry Allen is quirky and hilarious in this trailer. Aquaman is quite frightening and Cyborg is well your typical Cyborg. The IMDB cast listing for this movie is also swoon worthy. There are rumors of Iris West and The Joker making a cameo in this film. I may be reading too much into this but if an Arkham Guard has been cast in this film it must mean we are heading to Arkham Asylum at some point, which happens to be the last place we saw The Joker. Coincidence, maybe? Or maybe not?

Justice League hits theaters November 17^th, 2017.

The Walking Dead season 7 trailer:

Season 7 premieres October 23rd on AMC.

Doctor Strange trailer:

Get ready to go on a trippy ride into the many universes of Marvel’s Doctor Strange. Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, The Imitation Game), Rachel McAdams (The Notebook, Mean Girls) and Mads Mikkelson (Hannibal, Casino Royale) star in the film. As per IMDB, Marvel’s “Doctor Strange” follows the story of the talented neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a tragic car accident, must put ego aside and learn the secrets of a hidden world of mysticism and alternate dimensions. Based in New York City’s Greenwich Village, Doctor Strange must act as an intermediary between the real world and what lies beyond, utilizing a vast array of metaphysical abilities and artifacts to protect the Marvel cinematic universe.

This visually spectacular film hits theaters November 4^th.

American Gods first look trailer:

Starz network brings Neil Gaiman’s fantasy novel of the same name to life. The central premise of the novel is that gods and mythological creatures exist because people believe in them. The power of these mythological beings has diminished as people’s beliefs wane. New gods have arisen, reflecting America’s obsessions with media, celebrity, technology, and drugs, among other things. The series man character, Shadow, is a convict who is released early due to his wife being killed in a car accident. After the funeral Shadow meets a man called Mr. Wednesday who seems to know a lot more than he should about Shadow’s life. Warning Shadow that a far bigger fight is coming, he enlists his help and forever changes his view of the world around him.

The series premiere will be sometime in 2017 on Starz.

Legends of the Hidden Temple: The Movie trailer:

Nickelodeon is bringing back some 90s nostalgia with their Legends of the Hidden Temple: The Movie, bringing the game 90s kids grew up on to life. Kirk Fogg, host of the original game show, makes a cameo in this film playing himself as he leads a tour of the temple. The three siblings on his tour break away and find themselves immersed in a real-life Legends of the Hidden Temple game. Let’s go Green Monkeys!

The TV movie premieres this November on Nickelodeon.

The LEGO Batman Movie trailer:

The LEGO Batman movie is a spin-off of The LEGO movie focused on Batman voiced by Will Arnett. Batman must grow up and take responsibility for himself and the young orphan he forgot he adopted. This orphan becomes Robin (voiced by Michael Cera), after he rips off Reggae Man’s pants of course. A cute, kid friendly Batman and Robin origin story.

The film hits the silver screen February 10^th, 2017.

Marvel The Defenders teaser:

Netflix pops out another Marvel hit with Marvel The Defenders. Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist unite for The Defenders, an Avengers-esque superhero team-up set in Marvel’s Television universe.

The series will premiere on Netflix in 2017.

Marvel and Netflix also teamed up for a sizzle reel featuring the likes of DareDevil, Jessica Jones and Luke Cage. We also catch a glimpse of The Punisher at the end of the reel. Check it out below:

That bone crunching at: 49. I can never unsee or unhear that….

Kong: Skull Island trailer:

King Kong returns to the screen. The film stars A-Listers like Tom Hiddelston (Thor), Brie Larson (Room), Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, The Hateful Eight), and John Goodman (Roseanne, Monsters Inc.). This film centers on the origin of King Kong.

Kong: Skull Island hits theaters March 10^th, 2017.

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword trailer:

Staring Charlie Hunnam and Jude Law, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is the origin story of King Arthur. Arthur, played by Hunnam, is unaware of his royal lineage until he pulls Excalibur from the stone. Arthur must unite the people to defeat the dictator Vortigern, played by Jude Law, the man who stole his crown to become king.

2016/17 is going to be an epic year for both the Marvel and DC Universes. There are plenty more trailers, teasers and promos to come now that SDCC has come to its conclusion. Stay tuned to RESPECT. Mag for more inside information and trailers galore.

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For many, she is known as ‘Snoop’ from the infamous HBO show, The Wire. While actress Felicia Pearson shared her name and Baltimore roots with her character, she definitely has done more good for her city than bad and plans to spread that love with her talents. From candidly writing a book about her life and experiences to popping up on A&E giving Alicia Keys and America a tour around her city, Pearson is utilizing her voice and platform to spread knowledge of injustices and fight for human equality. Recently, Pearson took the time out to talk with RESPECT. about her controversial upcoming movie Chi-Raq, giving back to her city, and the importance of living your truth.

RESPECT. Magazine: For someone who fell into acting, you definitely take your craft seriously. You’ve taken diction classes, acting classes, and have gone out of your way to portray a character that’s the complete opposite of yourself in an effort to perfect your craft. Steven King has even attributed to your talent as he has stated you portrayed the, “most terrifying female villain to ever appear in a television series.” Which actors do you look to or which resources do you utilize for inspiration and methodology when it comes to your approach to acting?

Felicia “Snoop” Pearson: First, I go to my brother Michael K. Williams, who played ‘Omar’ on The Wire, because he’s been doing this longer than me. [For] this role that I had got for Da Sweet Blood of Jesus when I played a prostitute, I had to look at Wesley Snipes when he played that drag queen because I never played a…I’ve never been a girl, per se, like heels, makeup, and all that type of stuff. It was easy for me to see and practice off of Wesley Snipes for a role like that because he’s a man trying to become a female so I’m a female trying to become a female (laughs). It’s hard to say, but I’m an aggressive female. Everybody knows that I don’t dress up like that on no everyday stuff or nothing like that, but for me to prepare for that role, that’s what I looked at.

RM: You’re starring in French Montana’s upcoming movie, Respect The Shooter alongside your co-star from The Wire, Michael K Williams. Tell me about your role in that movie and what the movie is about.

FSP: They don’t really want me to speak about it for real because everything ain’t ironed out on that so they just said, “Hold out.”

Felicia “Snoop” Pearson while shooting Spike Lee’s ‘Chi-Raq’ with La La Anthony.

RM: You’re also starring in Spike Lee’s latest upcoming movie Chi-Raq alongside Angela Bassett, John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, and more. What’s it like to get casted to be in a Spike Lee movie not once, but twice? I feel like that would be his way of saying, “You’re a valued talent and I trust you to portray my vision.”

FSP: I feel honored. Spike Lee’s a legend, you know what I mean? He’s a genius. Chi-Raq…that movie has a message. Everything that Spike does always has a message to it. I was just blessed for him to even think about me like, “Come on, let’s do this.” (laughs) I was just blessed, not once, but twice. I was like, “Wow!”  

RM: What do you have to say to the Chicagoans who are in an uproar over the depiction of their city in the trailer?

FSP: If I wasn’t in the movie and I would have heard the title of it, I would think it’s like some wild wild west type stuff. A lot of people said, “How you gonna get this person to play a gangsta?” I’m like, that’s just Spike. The movie–there’s a strong message behind it, first of all. Some people know how Spike Lee works, so if you said, “Oh, that’s a Spike Lee Joint,” you’re going to think of Do The Right Thing, School Daze…he got a few of them that brings a strong message to it. A lot of older people in Chicago know how Spike Lee works. It’s not that gangsta or nothing. How can I put it? Some people say it’s funny and you making a joke about what’s going on in Chicago. He’s not. You know it’s not. It’s just, it’s a movie; it’s supposed to get you entertained and interested in what’s going on. At the same time, do you think Jennifer Hudson would be in the movie? You know what happened to her family [out there]. You know what she went through. It’s a message. Do you think Angela Bassett would be a part of the movie if it was on some dumb stuff? You understand what I’m saying? It’s a message. It’s a message. All I’m saying is, I just hope people give him a chance, you know. Just give him a chance. Give the movie a chance.

RM: Yeah, I feel like once the movie comes out and people see it, it’ll be a little different because I feel like the people who are in a uproar are just being close-minded and taking it at face-value.

FSP: Yeah, because once you hear Chi-Raq, you’ll think it’s some real hardcore gangbanging, you know what I mean? Spike’s old school, man.

RM: Yeah. Like you were saying, it’s not like people don’t know what his work is about. Alright, so one fact about you that I don’t believe a lot of people know is that you’re a published author and you’ve already signed on for a second book deal. In your first book Grace After Midnight, you told the story of your life. What do you have planned for the second book?

FSP: Just life after The Wire up until now what’s going on in my life. There’s a lot of things like, my books be real life struggles. That’s why people really relate to me. Part one is still selling in Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com, whatever your bookstore is. Tell everybody out there; let them know part two is on the way so you have to get part one. If you don’t have part one, you’ll want to catch up. You’ll want to understand (part two), but you’re not going to understand if you ain’t got part one.

RM: While you’ve alway been candid about your personal stances, you seem to be transitioning into this position as a humanitarian as you’ve been vocal publicly a lot more more, as of late, about your beliefs and stances. You’re associated with the The Same Difference documentary dealing with the struggles of the LGBT community,  you’re a part of the Akoo 11xHUMAN campaign detailing corruption in inner cities, and a lot more. What made you feel like it was necessary for you to make more of an effort to be more vocal and take a stronger stance on your beliefs and speaking your truth?

FSP: Because somebody gotta speak up. It’s like a lot of people be afraid to speak up whether it’s…sexuality or being out on these streets dealing with the police with police brutality type of stuff. Just me personally, I’m still trying to find my purpose in this world. I do have a strong background as far as my testimony; I have a strong testimony that I have to let the world know what I’ve been through. Even [with] my sexuality, I don’t care what you talking about; if you see me in a dress, you know it’s about some money.

Me and Alicia Keys was just talking about my past and how I did get harassed on the streets. How the Freddie Gray situation can happen to anybody and it is happening to every and anybody in every state or city. If people look up to me, that’s a blessing because I never expected myself to be a role model, but since I’m turning this new leaf…Yeah, I could help a couple of people if they could listen…if they ain’t afraid to say what’s on their minds. Be blunt. Sometimes when you’re being blunt and outspoken, people will listen. They love that shit because you’re real. You know why? Because they know you ain’t portraying something else or somebody else, you’re just you all the time.

RM: Yeah, that’s when you become trustworthy because people know there’s no bullshit associated. Also, I want to talk about how you seem to be able to weave in and out of the realm of hip hop without even really being a rapper. It seems like it’s really an association thing. I remember recently when the Chi-Raq trailer came out and I was like, “Oh, she’s acting now,” completely forgetting that you were on The Wire! (laughs) And I use to watch The Wire! That’s the main thing I know you from so it’s like, “Damn, why did I think she was a rapper for a second?”

FSP: Wow!

RM: I hope you’re not offended by that! (laughs)

FSP: Nah! That means that if you seen me in Chi-Raq, then my character or whatever on Chi-Raq was very strong. You just forgot all about The Wire. It’s just like, “Wow, she’s a rapper or something. Oh nah, that’s Snoop!” (laughs)

RM: Yeah, because I had to check myself right after like, “What is wrong with you?” But you were on the Out in Hip Hop special on VH1 talking about homosexuality in hip hop. What kind of impact do you think that special had or could potentially have in hip hop?

FSP: Hopefully, everybody will be equal, but like they said, your talent gotta speak for itself. If you’re talented, no one can ignore it. If no one can ignore it, then you’re a beast. Just have talent because [in] hip hop, they’re very, I won’t say judgemental, but they’re very… I don’t know. If you’re a gay rapper, just have your talent speak for itself.

RM: You recently filmed a special for ABC News and A&E where you showed Alicia Keys around your hometown of Baltimore and talked about the issues affecting the city that also reflect the issues of the nation. Why do you think it was important to have such a mainstream media outlet as ABC follow you two around your city as a native and broadcast it to the nation?

FSP: I mean, I was honored especially in my hood. Everything I can do as far as bringing attention to my neighborhood, my city, I always do. They probably wanted to go somewhere else and do the interview, but I was like, “Well, why do we have to go there when I got a whole neighborhood and we can go here?” I always try to give back. Not to glorify what happened down there, but it brought attention back to the city. Then, Alicia Keys, she’s in the hood walking through the alley. I mean, she got down gritty. She’s a very sweet, humble person and everybody was just like, “Oh my God! Wow!” They were just so shocked. Just to see people’s faces, that shit meant a lot to me…I mean I give back, I always give cookouts or stop the violence block parties and all that type of stuff. I just had recently done that, but for a megastar like Alicia Keys [to be] in the heart of Baltimore, East Baltimore in an alley somewhere? Come on, that’s huge! She’s taking pictures with everybody: kids, grown folks, it don’t matter! She was out there really in the streets and I respect that and I love that!

RM: Do you understand the importance of you describing Freddie Gray as a ‘wonderful person’ on national television on a media outlet when there are so many depicting outlets trying to depict him as anything but that?

FSP: That’s what they do because the lies and the negativity is more entertaining than the truth. You understand what I’m saying? You see how you just said, “Oh, you just went on there saying he’s a fun-loving person and they’re trying to describe him as an animal or something.” People pay attention to that. You know why? Because he’s a Black man and he was getting arrested. Come on, man. You have to add negativity to that story. No, let’s get to the nitty-gritty! Alright, he was this, that, and the third, but what happened to him? Don’t escape the real reason why we’re discussing this right now. Let’s get down to the truth.

RM: It’s always just like, “Oh, this person got arrested and…,” it could be, “Oh, this person was jaywalking so the police have every right to do whatever they did!”

FSP: Yeah! It don’t matter, he got locked up!

RM: You’ve got your hand in so many pots; you’re an actress, writer, humanitarian, and probably more things than I even realize. What are you trying to accomplish with all these titles?

FSP: Yeah, I’m an actress and an author or whatever, but I don’t even look at myself as all that. I really still think I’m just a regular person. I just follow my heart. Look how you just said, “You speaking means this, that, and the third.” That means people are paying attention. I must be doing something right. It’s not so I can get in this lane and get in this lane. Nah, I’m just speaking what I feel and what I’ve been through. That’s all.

RM: So, is this your way of telling your testimony?

FSP: Exactly. This probably is why I’m still on this Earth. This is probably the reason because I do want to get a foster care [house], first of all because I’m adopted. I’m ready to get that together because I want to give back. I want each [one] of these kids out here in these streets to feel love. It starts at home. You gotta find some type of love; somebody has to show you some type of love. My foster care’s going to be about love.

RM: Yeah because when you don’t get the right type of love, you look for it in the wrong places.

FSP: Yeah! We go out into the streets and for real, the streets don’t love nobody! Once you go then, somebody’s going to take your place. It’s over.

Watch Felicia “Snoop” Pearson in the A&E special focused on tackling race in America, Shining a Light tonight (11/20) at  10 p.m. EST.

The post RESPECT. Talks with Actress Felicia “Snoop” Pearson About ‘Chi-Raq’, Her Latest Book, and Being an Eclectic Humanitarian appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

The documentary debuted on MTV2 Sunday evening and now it’s available in its entirety for your viewing pleasure, thanks to VEVO and Samuel L. Jackson.

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