For avid moviegoers, this is their favorite time of the year, because we’re in the beginning of the summer blockbuster films. But are there any African American actors and actresses featured in these films? Being a part of a blockbuster film often translates into more work, not necessarily lead roles, but certainly pivotal roles.
Roles for African American actresses remain few and far in between, so a summer blockbuster film could easily springboard their careers. Thus far, only one big name stands out–Rihanna in the movie “Battleship.”
The singer, in her first starring role, plays Petty Officer Cora “Weps” Raikes. Based on the classic Hasbro naval combat game, “Battleship” is the story of an international fleet of ships that come across an alien armada while on a naval war games exercise. An intense battle ensues over sea, land and air. What do the aliens known as the regents want? In theaters May 18.
The release date for “Sparkle” has yet to be announced, but the movie remake which stars the late Whitney Houston is sure to be big at the box office.
“The Avengers” is already shattering box-office forecasts, surprising even the filmmakers. It’s a question of who’s your favorite hero–Iron Man, Captain America, The Hulk and Thor. But the one actor sure to find more favor is Samuel L. Jackson who stars as Nick Fury, director of S.H.I.E.L.D, an international peacekeeping agency. It’s in theaters now.
To follow is a sampling of films being released this summer.
Popular British actor Idris Elba stars as Janek in the Ridley Scott film, “Prometheus,” which follows a team of explorers who discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race. In theaters June 8.
Morgan Freeman is back as Lucius Fox in “The Dark Knight Rises.” Eight years after Batman took the fall for Two Face’s crimes, a new terrorist leader, Bane, overwhelms Gotham’s finest, and the dark knight resurfaces to protect a city that has branded him an enemy. In theaters July 20.
Movie fans are ready to see if the “Total Recall” remake will outdo the original. As the nation-states Euromerica and New Shanghai vie for supremacy, a factory worker begins to suspect that he’s a spy, though he is unaware which side of the fight he’s on. Actor Bokeem Woodbine, along with Colin Farrell, star in the film. In theaters August 3.
“Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Slayer” is the story of the 16th president who discovers vampires are planning to takeover the United States. He makes it his mission to eliminate them. Actress Jacqueline Fleming stars as Harriet Tubman, Anthony Mackie as William Johnson, and Edrick Brown as Silver Soldier No. 4. In theaters June 22.
“G.I. Joe: The Retaliation,” stars Dwayne Johnson and Hip Hop producer RZA as fighting men. Framed for crimes against the country, the G.I. Joe team is terminated by the president’s order, and the surviving team members face-off against Zartan, his accomplices, and the world leaders he has under his influence. In theater June 29.
Will Smith is back, along with Tommy Lee Jones, in “Men in Black III.” An alien criminal kills the young Agent K in 1969, altering the timeline, changing the agency and placing the Earth in danger. Veteran Agent J (Will Smith) must travel back in time to 1969 before the murder and work with the young Agent K (Brolin) to save him, the agency, the Earth and humanity itself. In theaters May 25.
