(L to R) Tika Sumpter and Snoop Dogg talk ‘The Underdoggs.’
Premiering on Prime Video January 26th is the new sports comedy ‘The Underdoggs’ which was directed by Charles Stone III (‘Mr. 3000’) and stars legendary rapper and performer Snoop Dogg and Tika Sumpter (‘Sonic the Hedgehog’).
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of sitting down in-person with Snoop Dogg and Tika Sumpter to talk about their work on ‘The Underdoggs,’ why Snoop wanted to make this movie as a producer, Sumpter’s experience working with Snoop, the relationship between their characters, and how Snoop is similar and different from his character.
(L to R) Tika Sumpter as Cherise, Jonigan Booth as Tre and Snoop Dogg as Jaycen “Two Js” Jennings in director Charles Stone III’s ‘The Underdoggs,’ an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Wilford Harewood. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Moviefone: To begin with, Snoop, as a producer, can you talk about having the idea for this film, developing the project, and what was it like for you to make this movie?
Snoop Dogg: Well, as a producer, the first thing I wanted to do was make sure that we had the script right. Once we had the script right, I wanted to go find the right director. Then getting the right director and then casting it. Then some of the things that I wanted to add to it was making sure that it had a real feel to it, that it had a real dynamic of what’s going on in the world today on the football field, in the communities, and just in life in general. So as a producer, I wanted to make sure I didn’t just come in here and just have a name, but have my hands involved, do some things, make some mistakes and get it right along the way.
MF: Tika, is it fun making a movie with Snoop Dogg?
Tika Sumpter: Well, I worked with Snoop Dogg at the beginning of my career, on my first show, ‘One Life to Live.’ He was a guest star. For those who don’t know, it was a soap opera in New York, and it was my first job. Snoop, he came on to do one of his songs and I got to interact with him, and I’ve known him since. So, we’ve had a friendship since then. First, I love him. He’s one of the most gracious people you would ever know. People are like, “Is he nice?” I’m like, “He’s extra nice.” His wife is kind and everybody around him is so kind. Snoop has my heart forever and ever. He always did, and I’m still a fan.
Related Article: Actors Ben Schwartz and James Marsden Talk New Movie ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’
(L to R) Tika Sumpter as Cherise and Snoop Dogg as Jaycen “2 J’s” Jennings in director Charles Stone III’s ‘The Underdoggs,’ an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Wilford Harewood. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
MF: Snoop, what was it like for you to work with Tika again?
SD: This is my sis right here, man. You got to understand about me in the industry. I was raised by a woman, a Black woman. So, she taught me anytime you come across a queen is to treat her with respect. So, she’s always been my sister. She’s always been held high in regards when it comes to acting. So, when I had an opportunity to see if she could be in something with me, it was a no-brainer.
MF: Snoop, can you talk about the similarities and the differences between the real Snoop Dogg and your character Jaycen “2 J’s” Jennings?
SD: 2 J’s is an a**hole. He’s an egotistical maniac. He’s selfish. He doesn’t understand. Snoop Dogg is understanding, loving, and caring. 2 J’s becomes Snoop Dogg at the end of the movie, way at the end of the movie, like the last three minutes of the movie. The whole hour whatnot, that is not me. It’s a character. Then at the end of the movie, I was able to become who I am because I grew into that. 2 J’s grew into the person that I am. That’s one thing about life. You must be willing to make that change, you got to be willing to listen. He learned so much from his coach, from his girl, from the kids, from life in general, that he took that, and he made himself a better person at the end of the movie.
Snoop Dogg as Jaycen “Two Js” Jennings in director Charles Stone III’s ‘The Underdoggs,’ an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Wilford Harewood. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
MF: Tika, Cherise has a history with Jaycen because they went to high school together. How would you describe their relationship when the movie begins?
TS: Well, she knew him since high school. She knows that he could be the person who he is at the end because he was that person. But life happened to him and hit him in the face, and he became this egotistical maniac who she did not like. But yeah, he came around.
MF: Finally, Snoop, how would you describe Jaycen and Cherise’s relationship in the movie?
SD: She never gave up. No matter what, she never gave up. She stayed there and he stayed there. I think that’s the beautiful love story. I like love stories that don’t involve contact, but they involve feelings. Our characters don’t have physical contact, but the feeling, you can feel it. That’s great acting when you can feel something through watching it rather than seeing actual contact.
“From blunts to runts.”
Jaycen ‘Two Js’ Jennings is a washed-up former pro football star who has hit rock bottom. When he is sentenced to do community service coaching the Underdoggs, an… Read the Plot
What is the plot of ‘The Underdoggs’?
Former NFL player Jaycen Jennings (Snoop Dogg) agrees to coach a youth football team to avoid going to prison, as he tries to relaunch his career.
Who is in the cast of ‘The Underdoggs’?
(L to R) Snoop Dogg as Jaycen “2 J’s” Jennings and Mike Epps as Kareem in director Charles Stone III’s ‘The Underdoggs,’ an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Jacob Kemp. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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