Perry: Madea's Next Film May Be Her Last

2/26/2009
John Winn
Tyler Perry has made a career out of playing the pistol packing, wisecracking Madea. "Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion," the top-grossing film of 2006, made him rich--and her a cash cow. But now Perry is openly flirting with seeing her off--for good.

In an interview with the AP, Perry discussed Madea's imminent demise.

"I would love to see Madea die a slow death in the next film," Perry said to writer Michael Cidoni. "She's a whole lot of fun to watch. But to do it is a nightmare."

During his nearly five years as Madea, Perry had to wear a fat suit to portray her.

"It's all one suit I'm zipped into, so it's all heavy. And the more I sweat, the heavier it gets. I see why women who have back problems have large breasts. Holding those things upright can be tough."

While Perry, whose film, Madea Goes to Jail, premiered last month, takes a break from playing his signature role, he is dipping his feet into other projects. Coming this summer, the 39-year old director-producer-actor will have a cameo appearance in J. J. Abrams's "Star Trek" film. The next film in the Madea canon, Madea's Class Reunion, will premiere in 2010. Until then, he has plenty of time to make up his mind. But he knows it won't be easy.

"As long as they [the fans] want to see her," he said, "she'll stay around. But I tell you, if they ever stop coming, she's going to die a quick death. 'Madea's funeral.' That is what you look forward to."

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