SB: I think that your character Eddie is a crucial and important character for Barbershop. He tells tales, jokes and when Calvin is going off the edge, he is the only one who can reel him back in. How important do you think your character is to the film?
CTE: He has been one of those characters that when it was written a while back initially it was just a funny character. When we were shooting the first movie, Barbershop, we shot the serious scene out in front of the shop. We both just went there, he had decided that he was going to sell the shop, and we both just went there. Neither one of us knew that we were going to actually change the narrative. It’s what happens when actors allow each other to find things and just act. It was unique. A lot of people came up to us and said, “This was the first time that I realized what this movie was about.” That was the moment when I knew who Eddie was. He’s the guy who has seen it and has worked here. It’s social for him. He was part of the distribution when the black afro pick came out. [Laughs] That’s his backstory, he made a lot of money and nobody knows that. He’s the old man who comes to the barbershop to sit and talk. Calvin’s father was one of his best friends. It’s a community of kinship, fellowship and friendship and that’s what I try to bring with the character when I show up.
SB: So here at SoulBounce we are obsessed with music, what’s on your playlist right now? What did you listen to on the set? Maybe a little Ice Cube? N.W.A? [Laughs]
IC: Damn, you know with this new iTunes, I’m listening to everything. [Laughs] Teddy Pendergrass to The O’Jays, I guess I’ve been stuck on oldies for the last, seems like a year. I’ve been just killing ‘em. I don’t want to hear no new sh*t. [Laughs]
SB: Really?
IC: Nah, I’m not feeling it.
- Advertisement -SB: You’re not feeling anyone right now who is new out?
IC: There are some great artists out right now, but they aren’t in my playlist right now. Sorry, SoulBounce.
- Advertisement -SB: We cover all eras and genres, so it’s cool. So the gang is back together, besides Michael Ealy. Is there a reason why Michael wasn’t included in the movie?
IC: He didn’t want to do the film. I can’t speak for him and don’t want to sit here and speculate as to why. I think maybe he felt like he had too many of these kinds of movies in a row and it was time to…
- Advertisement -SB: Switch it up?
IC: Spread his wings a little bit, which is fine. It’s cool…
- Advertisement -RH: [Interrupts] I know what happened, no... [Laughs] No, I don’t I am just kidding!
