Rapper Jack Harlow makes his acting debut taking on iconic Woody Harrelson role

19 May 2023 , 11:44
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Jack Harlow (Image: Allison Dinner/Invision/AP)
Jack Harlow (Image: Allison Dinner/Invision/AP)

Rapper Jack Harlow has revealed that he "fell in love" with acting for his debut role in the White Men Can't Jump remake.

The premier for the film, which is out now on Disney+, took place at Covent Garden's luxury sneaker retailer Kick Game - fitting for the nostalgic, streetwear-heavy film.

The remake of the iconic 1992 basketball flick starring Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson stars Jack alongside fellow musician Teyana Taylor, Spiderman: Homecoming actress Laura Harrier and Sinqua Walls.

The late Lance Reddick, who sadly passed last month and was best known for his roles in The Wire and John Wick, also stars in the film.

The film follows the same plot as the original, with Jack taking on Woody's role as a former basketball player, Jeremy who struggles with his athletic dreams due to his injured knees.

SNL host Woody Harrelson given five-timers jacket by Scarlett Johansson in cameo eiqrtiqkxiddhinvSNL host Woody Harrelson given five-timers jacket by Scarlett Johansson in cameo
Rapper Jack Harlow makes his acting debut taking on iconic Woody Harrelson roleJack plays Jeremy in the movie (AP)

He strikes up a bond with Kamal, a local star player who was ready for the NBA trajectory before his anger issues got the best of him. The pair help each other combat their personal struggles while competing in a basketball tournament for a life-changing cash prize.

"Through this film I was able to gain my confidence as an actor, and to me, this s*** is not a side quest," Jack said of his debut. "This isn't a side mission that I'm tacking on just to keep the entertainer thing going and make some extra money," he told People.

Rapper Jack Harlow makes his acting debut taking on iconic Woody Harrelson roleHe revealed he developed a "deep passion" for the art (Getty Images for 20th Century St)

"I really got the bug and fell in love with this, and I'm developing a deep passion for the craft of this the same way I had in music.

"I don't want it to be a side hustle, I want to full-on go after this, and I'm going after it and I'm going to continue to do more," Jack added.

He went on to joke that filming in Los Angeles felt like "summer school or camp" before admitting that acting was a harder vocation than making music.

The rapper earned his first major breakthrough with the release of his 2020 single, Whats Poppin, which went viral on TikTok. Since then, he's worked with the likes of Drake, Lil Wayne and Lil Nas X.

Rapper Jack Harlow makes his acting debut taking on iconic Woody Harrelson roleJack rose to fame as a rapper (Getty Images for 20th Century St)
Rapper Jack Harlow makes his acting debut taking on iconic Woody Harrelson roleBut he admitted that there's more freedom in acting (Getty Images for 20th Century St)

His latest album, Jackman, debuted last month, but Jack confessed that he's found a new kind of "freedom" in acting that he hasn't yet found in music.

"Acting is way harder than music, if you ask me; way more grueling, so I loved the challenge and so grateful that this was the start.

"There's things that go through your head from time to time but with acting I feel liberated to some degree — I feel like I could show up and I could be whoever I want to be today. I don't know, I feel freedom."

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