Yahoo reports that actor, Mario Van Peebles is using his new indie film, If to shed some light on gun violence. The 59-year-old wrote, directed and stars in the action-thriller, alongside a talented cast which includes: Ryan Guzman, Columbus Short, Lane Garrison, Jemma Dallebder, William Fichtner and Dionne Warwick.
Hollywood Reporter explains that the movie wrapper production earlier this month. Van Peebles is the beautiful mind responsible for the 1991 film New Jack City. The crime thriller was his directorial debut, introducing us to “the Carter” Nino Brown’s (Wesley Snipes) apartment complex which the drug kingpin converts into a crack house. Rapper, Lil’ Wayne based the name of five of his albums on The Carter exemplifying just how powerful the film remains over two decades since its release.
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| Mario Van Peebles Empire Director |
Mario “Chip” Cain Van Peebles directed the “Die But Once” episode of Empire‘s first season. The episode featured Lucious punching Hakeem in his face after he insults him while on stage with Snoop Dogg. Lucious also finds out about Cookie and Malcolm’s relationship in the shocking episode.