"Antwone Fisher" not only marks the directorial debut of Denzel Washington, it's also the feature film debut of newcomer Derek Luke. Luke was working in a gift shop at Sony Pictures when he met and became friends with the real Antwone Fisher, prior to being cast in this film. However Derek didn't use his friendship with Fisher as a stepping stone to the role, instead he enlisted the help of a friend to get a chance to read for the part.
After a series of auditions, Denzel Washington made the short walk across the studio lot to deliver the good news to Luke in person - at the Sony Pictures gift shop. Fisher just happened to be in the store buying a T-shirt when Washington told Luke he had the part. “I walked past the real Antwone and I said to Derek, `Hey, Antwone. How’s it
going?’ He said, ‘That’s right, I am Antwone. I’m working on it. I’m Antwone.” And I said, ‘No, you -
you ARE Antwone. You got the part,’ recalls Washington, adding, "First he was stunned,
then he practically broke down in tears, then joy, then he started to pray...it was really exciting.”
DEREK LUKE ('Antwone Fisher')
Can you talk about the first time you met Denzel Washington?
That was glorious. That was my fourth audition and we started the audition from the time I reached the room. When I opened the door, it was on. That's what happened. I just remember a voice inside saying, “Denzel” and I had to start the audition after that.
There's a story going around about what you did immediately after getting the role.
You mean when I almost squeezed Denzel to death? That one? Yeah, I saw him walking. I tried to really play it cool because I didn't want him to notice that I noticed him. Where I was standing, I could see him coming. I played it off and was talking to Antwone and I said, “I think he'll come over here anyway because Antwone's here.” And it was a shock. He was coming right up to me. He had his hat down and he called me Antwone and I almost cried.
How daunting was it to play a real life character?
You know what? It was daunting in the sense that I met him while I was growing up. I knew a lot of Antwones. I felt like I had to do him some justice. Just a lot of friends I knew named 'Antwone' in spirit.
Can you talk about Denzel as a director and what he taught you?
One of the wonderful things about Denzel was that he never really verbalized much to me. I can literally count the directions on one hand. That was pretty much more of the same - keep it honest, don't get in the way of the character and just let it flow. I was surprised, really surprised.
You've known Antwone Fisher for a long time. Can you tell us what he was like before this movie?
I didn't know much about him besides he was a writer. We met through a mutual friend. When he would come to the store I would tease him. He would tell me he was better looking than me. I told him, “Yeah, you must be a writer.” We were just one of those kindred spirits where you felt like it would be just cool knowing him. I didn't think a writer could help me pursue my dream.
Did you try to incorporate his mannerisms or his voice?
I did, but it didn't work. What happens is for me, I think every character has a spirit and it just took on its rightful place. I started to speak the lines like something just happened.
Where did all that intensity and anger come from?
Oh my God, where did that come from? It was in the backyard of my heart. It really was. It was in the backyard because I didn't know what Antwone was trying to express, [what] almost every youth in America, in my generation, was trying to express.
Can you describe your first day on the set when you had a scene with Denzel?
What was the scene, our first scene? I was so nervous I can't remember. The first scene, I believe was the first scene when I come into his office actually. I could be wrong, but I believe that was the first one. He transformed. He's so great that when he says cut, he's a different guy. When he's an actor, I see the charm, the walk comes alive. I was like, “Where was that?” It was like I was acting with two different guys instead of analyzing, and I just let it happen.
Why do you think Antwone's life is worth a movie?
I think it's time to do clean-up for a generation. I believe this is one of the movies that hits home for all colors and all races. Everybody I talk to, black or white, suburban, rich or poor, can relate to rejection, can relate to not having a father or a mother. I know rich guys who grew up with their mother and father and are well-to-do, but they were still absent in the home. They were just kids and a lot of them suffered hurt, rejection, no confirmation and absence of love. So I believe America can relate to it as a whole.
Has your family seen the film yet?
I'm waiting for the premiere, but my mother is pumping it. She's not waiting for you all. She's going to every church, every politician. She has a picket sign up in Jersey, literally. She has to be one of the proudest moms I've ever seen.
