Straight Outta Compton has been the breakout hit of the summer, topping the August box office for three weekends in a row. The film has been credited with impeccable casting, a captivating storyline and themes that connect with audiences today.
Straight Outta Compton stars O'Shea Jackson, Jr. as Ice Cube, Corey Hawkins as Dr. Dre, and Jason Mitchell as Eazy-E but this cast is rounded out with supporting characters that also deliver memorable performances.
R. Marcos Taylor portrays co-founder and former CEO of Death Row Records, Suge Knight, in Compton. Knight plays a pivotal role in the N.W.A. story and Taylor proved with his performance that he is an actor to watch in the future.
For Taylor the process for joining Compton was unconventional. “I found out this possible role through a friend….I didn’t have an agent or a manager, I found out where the place was that they were doing the casting and I just went. I figured at least I could try to be a stunt double in the movie. I did three auditions and it worked out,” explained Taylor.
After his successful auditions, Taylor started to develop the character of Knight but wanted to stay true to what he thought about the character. He tried to stay in character, as much as possible on set, but admitted that it was hard when he saw members of N.W.A. that he had looked up to for years. “Their music changed the world. This was music for guys that were living in their neighborhood,” said Taylor. “They made the world notice and the government nervous.”
Chelsea Lewis from TheCelebrityCafe.com had the opportunity to talk with R. Marcos Taylor about his role in Compton and how he sees his career going forward in the future. Most of all he wanted to thank the fans that have gone out and supported Compton.
“Keep supporting Compton. If you have watched it, you know you want to see it again. It’s not what I thought it would be, it’s really good and everything about it is good. This film deserves Oscar nominations.”
The entire interview is below.
C: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. Congratulations on ‘Straight Outta Compton.’ Your portrayal of Suge Knight was a stand out in an already incredible film. What was it like making the film?
R: I’m really happy for the film and for the people that were behind the film, especially the members of NWA. We worked really hard and I’m happy to see everything come out and it really shows Hollywood that anything is possible and that good casting helps a movie.
C: What was it like taking on such an iconic character? What was the process like of becoming Suge Knight?
R: Definitely. I found out this possible role through a friend. She said I should go out for this role but I really didn’t want to be type cast but my friend kept bugging me, like a sisterly bug, and I decided that I got to do this and at least try. At the time I was so broke, I figured I might as well go for it. I found a place to stay and got some odd jobs. I didn’t have an agent or a manager, I found out where the place was that they were doing the casting and I just went. I figured at least I could try to be a stunt double in the movie. I did three auditions and it worked out.
C: The chemistry between yourself and Corey Hawkins seemed so natural, at times I forgot you guys were acting. Were you able to talk to Dr. Dre about his relationship with Knight?
R: First of all, I’m a fan, a huge fan of N.W.A. Their music changed the world. This was music for guys that were living in their neighborhood, that were getting persecuted by police officers and law enforcement, they were treated like trash. They used hip-hop to create a message. They made the world notice and the government nervous.
When I was in character, I was in character the whole time. I was Suge on set, and the director said that I should be Suge on set. I was most of the time but sometimes I had to get out of character. When I saw people that I looked up to for years, when you see these stars, I was star struck. Dr. Dre and Ice Cube, they treated me cool. I didn’t ask them too much. I just went from what I thought would be best for my character.
C: What is it like to transition from your extensive stunt work into more acting roles?
R: I always planned on doing both, that was my whole thing from the start. I’m determined not to be put into a box or be labeled with stereotype. I’m always open to new ideas. I’m always being put in some type of category and I felt like I really wanted to purse acting more.
C: What projects are coming up next for you?
R: I can say this, I did a film right after Compton, Wild for the Night’ directed by Benny Boo, who is hip-hop. I also did The Martial Arts Kid, which is dear to me. It’s about anti-bullying and it stars a lot of the action stars that I grew up with. I’m really proud of that. I have a few other things coming up that I just can’t talk about yet.
C: Anything else you would like to add?
R: Keep supporting Straight Outta Compton. If you have watched it, you know you want to see it again. It’s not what I thought it would be, it’s really good and everything about it is good. This film deserves Oscar nominations.