Angela Bassett speaks on Laurence Fishburne standing up for her on the set of 'What's Love Got to Do with It'
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As fans celebrate the 30th anniversary of What’s Love Got to Do with It, the film’s lead actress, Angela Bassett, recently opened up about the movie.
On Sunday (June 25), Variety shared an interview conducted with the Hollywood storyteller. In 1993, Bassett starred in the drama/music film based on the life of rock ‘n roll legend Tina Turner. During the conversation, Bassett spoke about her co-star Laurence Fishburne, who played Ike Turner, and filming certain uncomfortable scenes.
“He was strong [and] he was respectful. He could bring order, and he had discipline. When things got out of hand, as they did, he could bring some stoppage and clarity to the moment,” the New York native explained. “We literally worked 16-hour days on the smallest of things, like cutting a ribbon.” Bassett continued: “And whereas I could not, as an up-and-coming actor to this white male British director, Laurence could say, ‘I think we got it. We got it.’ And then we could all go home and get some rest to be ready for the next day.”
As the discussion progressed, the 64-year-old award winner shared how Fishburne advocated for her, especially regarding the shooting of a sexual assault scene between the pair. The “9-1-1” star acknowledged her reluctance to film the act “over and over and over again for 16 hours.” “I wasn’t willing to do that,” she noted. “And I knew I couldn’t ask the director because here I am as a new actor, but I could talk to Laurence.”
Then Bassett stated, “So Laurence asked me, ‘How many times you want to do this?’ And I looked at him. He took my hand, and I said, ‘Four or five.’ And then he told the director, like, ‘Hey man, we’re just going to do this four times. So let’s make sure we get the cameras right, and we’re going to keep them outside of the studio.'” Although fans and cast members of the well-received film celebrate its continued impact 30 years later, they also mourn the death of the woman behind the story. On May 24, the iconic Tina passed away at 83 following a long illness, her family shared.
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