Malik Yoba and Denzel Washington attend the New York Gala benefiting The Steve Harvey Foundation at Cipriani, Wall Street on May 3, 2010 in New York City.
*Actor Malik Yoba is doing his thing on both the big and small screens with his role in “The Alphas” and the military film, “Allegiance.”
During an interview with BET.com, he chatted about an opportunity to portray Martin Luther King, Jr. in an upcoming TV movie. But more importantly, he discussed his thoughts about Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker and Katt Williams.
Let’s cut right to the good stuff.
About Denzel, he said Denzel needs to do a bit more than be himself in his roles.
“No matter how many movies Denzel Washington does, he’s still Denzel in every movie – except for the times he played Malcolm X and Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter,” he commented. “Those were the roles where he got a chance to stretch a little more. I want to be more like Forest Whitaker in Last King of Scotland. I want to stretch a little more, that’s what I want to do. So playing Martin, I had no fear. It was like here’s a real opportunity to do something. I’m still thrilled about it and I can’t wait to see the finished film.”
Maybe he’ll get his chance to be that actor who shows some diversity as Martin Luther King Jr.
“Playing Martin Luther King Jr. was an honor for me on so many levels. It was the most I’ve ever prepared for a role,” Yoba said. “I spent a lot of my time immersing myself in not just his speeches, but listening to him talking. There are some great interviews of him going all the way back to 1957, when he was 28 years old. It was fascinating to go down that road and learn about all the different people in King’s life – like his mentors and people who went to Morehouse with his dad. It was amazing getting that deep into his life and his point of view of the world. As an actor, I want more of that kind of experience.”
Read the full interview and find out what he has to say about Forest Whitaker, Katt Williams and more, here.
Big lip negro PLEASE, if any theatre in the country put “starring Malik Yoba” they would be lucky to have break even box office receipts and would more than likly lose money. Ashey lipped nucca
I’m not a fan of Denzel by no means, and while not defending him (Denzel), I have to wonder if Malik knows him personally to make the statement, that Denz’ has no range. …. .just wondering
I agree that Denzel isn’t a well versed actor and play himself. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and people disagreeing and attacking his appearance.
Hmm Training Day, John Q, Malcolm X, Richochet, Man on Fire, Bone Collector are you kidding me? Zel has a large resume and sure some characters overlap and for Malik to make that statement the way he did has some salt on it. He must acknowledge he is a great actor and then say maybe he would like to see him play a character much different then he has before. He doesn’t he throws salt on Denzel and then goes on to talk about himself. Bitch move and even if it were true still Bitch move, go sit your “Made for TV” ass down.
I don’t think Mallik is hating on Denzel, but I certainly disagree with him stating Denzel is always himself in other roles, not true. Training Day was a departure for him maybe Malik have only seen some of Denzel’s movies. Denzel is well trained actor I put him in the same league as Sidney Poitier. He’s done Broadway, Shakespeare, television you name it, to say Denzel is not a well versed actor is pure nonsense.
*Another tv movie about MLK? What’s left to tell?*
I was thinking the same thing about MLK. How many movies have there been???
Wow, what an unnecessary dig. So Denzel played “himself” in St. Elsewhere, Glory, Missippi Masala, The Preacher’s Wife, and Flight? lol Denzel has a strong presence and writers and directors play to that presence, a confidence and swagger that permeates his roles, but he does NOT “play himself.” Yoba’s words sound like something an amateur would say. Surprised he would stoop to such a low-class level, though him to be a smarter guy than that.
He’s a lie! Denzel Washington can act circles around him on a bad day and he’s an even better actor on Broadway. He can take any role and just make the shit work. Just like Laurence Fishborne, Sam Jackson, Jeffrey Wright, Don Cheadle and even Mos Def whom I think him and Jeffrey are really slept on…What role other than NY Undercover (which he did well) that he’s made a name for himself? TGen you said exactly what I’m trying to say. Denzel was AWESOME on Broadway and so was Laurence Fishburne. I was really shocked to see that Laurence is probably about 5’9…He always looked tall in his movies.
Denzel has the same tone for whatever character he’s playing.
Why are you running behind every damn comment telling people they are wrong? Sit down clown.
Who the hell are you to tell me I am wrong? You sit down and shut the eff up!!
He’s totally on point about Denzel. Denzel has been in some great movies but you he has basically the same tone in most of his movies. Now Laurence Fishburne is a actor with great range.
LOL Look at this spoof on Denzel
MAN! LMAO now this is funny!!!!
We all are entitled to our opinions – but we should all make an effort to know the facts when debasing someone. Malik is a good actor, but like a poster here stated, “when was the last time his name was on a marquee and fans clamoring to see him”? By the way – he didn’t even THANKED Denzel for paving the way for him to do what he do. I love the show Alphas, but Malik’s position on this series is “a brother that is angry and bossy”.. stereotypical acting if you ask me! Now, talking about no range as an actor, that would be him, but do you see another brother in the thespian community “berating” his acting chops? Class/mannerism would have been him saying… “Denzel is a good actor – but I want to see him do something totally out of character that would shock his fans [myself included] to the core”! This way he gave the brother his “props” and offered and opinion. Brothers love to hate on one another…dam!!!!
Stop it stop it stop it!! Denzel didn’t pave the way for Malik. There were black actors waaaayyyyy bfore Denzl. Oh and he does indeed have the same tone and mannerisms in the majority of his movies. No one is saying Denzel isn’t good, but the screen doesn’t lie.
Geez…every black actor who does well paves the road a little wilder for the next person.
You need to have a seat.
Denzel is a well rounded actor. He can does movie AND STAGE, not Gospel plays like Yoba.
To my knowledge, no one ever claimed that Denzel was the greatest of them all. “Denzel needs to do a bit more than be himself in his roles” – Malik Yoba, are you serious? NOTICE THE PUBLIC WHITE OR BLACK HAS NEVER COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS & referred to Denzel. So this tends to make me wonder about Malik’s move on this to begin with. It’s apparent that Malik is kind of full of himself, has a bit of a personal issue regarding Denzel. Unfortunately his career has been kind of pale in comparison to Denzel & several others. Malik probably has never watched very many movies that displayed diversity of Denzel starring & playing in those movies. In fact Malik has not really stretched much, not even his upper lip at all, and has been playing the same ol’ character. Malik is good to a certain degree. Can be found playing in Tyler Perry Movies. Not an actor I’ve witnessed starring in many major film roles. So he needs to chill and not saying anything about actors like Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Forrest Whitaker, Samuel Jackson, or even a Robert Di Nero.
Malik has a lot of nerve. Word is that he has a thing for the light skin transgender chicks. He actually paid for one of them to do sex reassignment surgery from male to female. Her name is Ashley Love and she is a transgender activist in new york city. Malik paid for Ashley Love to become a female and left her to go back and play with the pre op transgenders. His model/actress wife of 3.5 years out of the blue upped & left his simi twisted a..
Wow I smell a whole lot of B.S. in this post. None of ths has anythin to do with what he said.
Some of you should have clicked on the ENTIRE interview. This delusional fool said
“I see myself as a Daniel Day Lewis-type of actor”.
Is EUR trying to start some shyt again?
I didn’t catch where Malik said Denzel was not the greatest. Not that Denzel would consider himself to be, either. At least not yet.
No matter how many movies Denzel Washington does, he’s still Denzel in every movie
And how do you define Denzel?
Yoba is either hating or was caught up in one of those interview moments where you want to say something profound, but end up making an ass of yourself.
Is he really trying to compete with Denzel?
As a former TV cop, I thought Yoba would have at least watched Training Day at some point, the film Denzel won the Oscar for.
Malik, check out Training Day, The Book of Eli, He Got Game, America Gangster, Philadelphia, Virtuosity, The Pelican Brief, The Preacher’s Wife …
How the hell you lump all those movies together?
I, personally, do find the comment suspect considering how the media takes a person’s words and turn them completely around these days. Malik had to know this would start some kinda controversy, but maybe he doesn’t care. After reading it I couldn’t help but to think he wanted to kick up some dust with the acting Icon. To imply/infer that Denzil has little to no range in his acting ability is downright CRAZY to me! I can’t wrap my brain around that one.
How can Denzel always playing Denzel, expect when he’s not playing Denzel? He contradicts himself.
Malik!!??, why youuuuu jelly “crabby” muthaFKah!! Why “go in” ‘on yo own mayn!?? Why equate DW’s range with another!?? Why open yo stupid unemployed mouth!!?? The ONLY mofo who “couuuuuld (& WOULDN’T miiiiiind you!!) speak ‘on this subject is…S. Poitier!!! But see?, “he’s” too intelligent & UNcrabby, to put “his own” down, in ANY way! Hell….after all those years, HE had to “share the night” WITH DW AND Halle!!!, & STILL said nuuuuuuuthin!!!! And…where the fk is YO “range”, buddy!!? You “after school special “TV” MOSTLY, acting asshole youuuuu! (Said like Joe Pesci, y’all…hee hee!) Seems to me YOU’z the “one demensional” mofo, while as others have already listed?, DW’s versatility is doooooolly noted, lil lo “puuuuuunk” (said like Martin’s “Otis” character!! Yeah, I got a milly of ‘em!!) Lmao!, now back to THIS “crabby” nigarrrrr!) Yo “bruuuuuthah”?, stop hate’en & start taking some fkn “classes ‘on duh weekend”! Maaaaybe you’ll graduate to a “non Black” project, & show YO “range”, that is if you lazy ass syllabus, will allow the move. I swear mayn, you MUSta been in “Magic’s” english class”! SMGDH! And in parting I say…..”remember Chihuahuas should nevva bark at…”Rottweilers”!! And you’z a chihuahua AND a rooky!! So…kick rocks wit dat shyt….”junior”, youuuuu jelly muthaFKah youuuuuu!/ “Pesci again!!) Wah wah wah waaaaaah!
The last time Ive seen this Brotha he was playing in one of Tyler’s movies so he really can’t speak on Denzel when he hasn’t been hired consistently. We only can familiarize with him from the NY cop series. Anything else really isn’t sufficient to judge.
I agree with Malik. I have been saying the same thing about Denzel for years and recently discussed this with friends. With a few exceptions, Denzel plays Denzel.
Hi bitch ( no I have not forgotten?
Retard if there are exceptions how is he is same every movie.
You and Malik must ride the small yellow bus together.
Even if what you and Malik think is true, which it’s not, but obviously whatever he does he does it very well!!! Malik can’t say that now can he?????????
Malik has a right to his opinion, no doubt about it, but we have a right to set his ass straight. I like Alphas, but Malik only has that and New York Undercover under his belt as well-know accomplishments for his career. What else does anyone know him for?? Dude you played a role in Allegiance with lame-ass Bow Wow and you’re talking about Denzel Washington??? Brutha shut the fuck up and do half of what Denzel has done and get back with us!!
lol who’s this guy?
Wow….people can sure have selective memory when they want to. Remember all the uproar when Denzel actually WON the Oscar for Training Day?? All you heard from black folks was that Alonzo Harris was such an unlike able character that it was just UNCOMPREHENSIBLE that Denzel won the award then but didn’t win it for Malcolm X. Was Denzel playing himself in Training Day?? Was Peterson in A Soldier’s Story just Denzel playing himself? How about Trip in Glory?? Yes…everyone’s entitled to their opinion, but be ready to back it up…
The problem is is that Malik will NEVER be a multi-million dollar movie star; he will do well on the small screen. Not everyone who is an actor/actress is going to be a movie star………………………………………….