”Power Book II: Ghost” star Larenz Tate chopped it up with TheYBF.com where he shared his insights on the importance of authenticity in black storytelling, as well as his thoughts on the challenges and opportunities that come with revisiting classic films. Find out what he told us inside…
Before he brings the drama in the third season of “Power Book II: Ghost,” Larenz Tate, best known for his roles in class films like Menace II Society and Love Jones, recently sat down with YBF correspondent Jada Watts to discuss his thoughts on the legacy of 90s Black cinema, the potential for sequels (since that’s the current wave), and how he stays grounded in the industry.
Larenz Tate portrays the character of Rashad Tate in “Power Book II: Ghost,” where he plays a seasoned politician with a shady past. As he vies for a Senate seat, he faces a moral dilemma and walks a fine line between legality and illegality, all while seeking donors and campaign boosts. In his pursuit of power, he also sets his sights on his former flame, Professor Harper Bennet, in a bid to win her over and gain a wife. However, his intentions may not be entirely genuine.
While Tate’s character is driven by ambition and persistence, the actor himself maintains a sense of balance and centeredness to stay motivated in real life.
Larenz’s insights on the legacy of Black cinema in the 90s shed light on the importance of authentic storytelling and representation in Hollywood. The veteran actor began by reflecting on why the 90s were such a special time for black cinema.
”I think we’re in a golden era of storytelling where in the 90s we finally got a chance to get to authenticity by having black folks tell black stories and historically that wasn’t always the case,” he said. “In that golden era of our time, it was authentic because we told our stories and we brought our experiences to the forefront.”
He went on to explain that this authenticity allowed the films to resonate with people not only in the black community, but worldwide.
“People got a chance to see us in a human way,” he shared.
The “Power Book II” star then addressed the possibility of sequels to some of his classic films. When asked about a potential sequel to Love Jones, he revealed that there has always been talk about it, but that there is also a certain pressure that comes with revisiting a classic.
”The blessing is that the movie has been able to stand the test of time. The curse is you can’t mess something like that up,” he said.
Ultimately, Larenz believes that any potential sequels would need to be done with care and respect for the original material because if it’s trash, they’ll never hear the end of it.
”If we mess up a classic, we would never be able to live it down,” he said.
Ha! He’s right about that. We don’t play when it comes to our movie faves.
So, would he ever do a sequel of Love Jones or Menace To Society? Find out below!
In case you missed, check out our interview with “Power Book II: Ghost” star Method Man where he opens up about his relationship with “Power” honcho 50 Cent and secrets on how to retain longevity in the industry HERE.
Season 3 of “Power Book II: Ghost” premieres on Friday, March 17th at midnight EST on the STARZ app, all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms and internationally on the LIONSGATE+ premium streaming platform across the UK and Brazil. On linear, it will debut on STARZ at 9PM ET/PT in the U.S. and Canada.
Photo Credit: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for STARZ
