For his next film, “Madea” mastermind Tyler Perry will take on a popular fictional character crafted by author James Patterson and made famous on the big screen by Morgan Freeman in two movies.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Perry will take on the role of detective-psychologist Alex Cross in an untitled film to be directed by Rob Cohen (“The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor”).
Freeman played the role in two studio movies, 1997′s “Kiss The Girls” and 2001′s “Along Came a Spider,” based on Patterson’s first novel in 1993. His 18th novel featuring Alex Cross will be released later this year.
Idris Elba (“The Wire”) was supposed to portray the detective in an indie due to be directed by David Twohy, but that adaptation appears to be shelved for now, per the Hollywood Reporter.
Perry is best known for his voluminous work as a director-screenwriter-producer of urban dramas and for playing the outspoken black female character of Madea in many of his movies. This would be the first major role Perry has undertaken that doesn’t involve one of his projects.
