Eyebrows were raised (mine included) when Tyler Perry was announced to be starring in the upcoming ALEX CROSS, a role that was brought to the big screen by the significantly…errm…different Morgan Freeman about a decade ago. The film, which opens this weekend in the US, has gotten quite lukewarm early reviews, but regardless of what happens at the box office, it looks increasingly more likely that it won’t be Perry’s only outing as the psychologist/detective. It’s been reported that Tyler Perry is in final talks with author James Patterson to pick up the rights for the literary follow up, ‘Double Cross’ (puns ftw!). The deal could see Tyler Perry star, direct, write and produce a sequel based on the property, although he did waive his rights to do that with this film to allow Rob Cohen to take charge. The book description (with potential spoilers) is as follows:
Just when Alex thought his life was calming down into a routine of patients and therapy sessions, he finds himself back in the game–this time to catch a criminal mastermind like no other.
A spate of elaborate murders in Washington D.C. have the whole East Coast on edge. They are like nothing Alex Cross and his new girlfriend, Detective Brianna Stone, have ever seen. With each murder, the case becomes increasingly complex. There’s only one thing Alex knows: the killer adores an audience.
I don’t really get what the big deal about Tyler Perry is, his films are normally huge box office hits in the US, but not really anywhere else. ALEX CROSS is the first film that potentially could have a wider appeal, but based on the trailer, the early reaction, and the lack of really well known cast members to the general public makes me doubt it. Of course, if it does as well domestically as Perry’s films normally does, I doubt the studio would care. I imagine that only a huge box office bomb could potentially derail the plans for a sequel, but for the time being, expect to see Tyler Perry step in Morgan Freeman’s shoes once again in the near future.
ALEX CROSS is directed by Rob Cohen. It stars Tyler Perry, Matthew Fox, John C. McGinley, Edward Burns, Jean Reno and Rachel Nichols. It will arrive in UK cinemas on 30th November 2012.
Source: Collider
