Jim Brown. Hawkman. MC Ren. This wide-ranging list of icons and movie characters all have a commonality: versatile actorAldis Hodge, who has played all these personas and is back in action with a new caper film hitting the masses this week. Who doesn’t love agood heist movie? However, when you hear a title likeMarmalade, your mind might go somewhere outside the crime realm. Such an enticing word doesn’t necessarily evokeOcean’s 11or evenHigh or Hell Watervibes. That’s probably because Aldis Hodge’s new movie, written and directed by Keir O’Donnell (hilarious co-star ofWedding Crashers), becomes much more than a simple tale of lovers robbing banks for a quick cash fix.
Also starring Joe Keery (Stranger Things) and Camila Morrone (Daisy Jones & The Six),Marmaladebecomes a twisty-turny tale of a suspect inmate (Hodge) learning the backstory of his cellmate and ultimately taking action for the sake of justice and more. We recently caught up with Aldis Hodge to learn more about his standout role inMarmalade, what it was like working with Regina King a few years back, and whyThe Color Purple(2023) deservesmore Oscar love.
‘Beautiful Things Go Off the Rails’
Sometimes, the most appreciated part of an actor’s performance is their ability to react authentically, sometimes to thrillingly comedic effect. Sure, Keery is the main character ofMarmalade, but we’re rooting forHodge’s supporting character, Otis, all the way, especially when he’s juggling dim-witted colleagues. His constant eye-rolls and huffing & puffing will make you laugh out loud, especially for those who can relate to sharing office space with people you simply cannot stand.
“When it comes to the balancing of the comedic times and trying to understand how we’re flowing into the root of the story, all that’s a real big dance,” Hodge told MovieWeb. “I love the fact that he was trying so hard. And he was dry. So he takes himself so serious. That was actually one of the best parts about this role, is, ‘How seriously can I go with this guy?’ Because he’s just locked in, you know? The rug keeps getting pulled up from under him. But you kind of end up having a heart for him at the end of it because you’re like, ‘Man, he was trying. He’s actually a good guy.’ And then, beautiful things go off the rails.”
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When we first meet Hodge as Otis inMarmalade, he’s behind bars, a persona he’s tackled on at least one occasion in years past. “When my team first told me about the script, they’re like, ‘Soyou’re in jailagain.’ I was like, ‘Hold that.’ I had just come off of playing a role where I was in prison,” he said. “But when I read the script and I saw all the differences, I was like, ‘OK, yeah, this is very different.'”
Without revealing too much, Otis also has law-enforcement ties that might remind Hodge fans of his past role in the acclaimed seriesCity on a Hill. He’s also playing the iconic Alex Cross character in an upcoming series based on James Patterson’s book series. “If I put all three of those cops in the same space, I’m going to have different conversations,” Hodge told us. “So that’s what I want to do, is be able to feel that, as much difference in sort of range in my volume of work as possible.”
Another landmark role in Hodge’s filmography: real-life icon and civil rights activist Jim Brown in the acclaimed filmOne Night in Miami…Hodge was more than happy to discuss working on that project, which hit the masses during the early days of COVID-19:
“First of all, Regina King is just royalty to me. Kemp Powers, he’s a genius. What he was able to do, what they were both able to do, their teamwork really was exemplary on that film. And I mean, I’d work with those two any day of the week. I don’t care what it is. But it taught me a lot.
And with every set, I’m looking for education, something that’s going to teach me about filmmaking or the craft of the art a different way. When it comes to biopics, there’s a different responsibility because you’re playing somebody real, and to honor their story. But you also take some liberties for storytelling. And that’s an art unto itself. So I think they really hit it out of the park with that film. I was very lucky to be a part of that cast.”
DC Universe and Love for The Color Purple
Fans of the superhero genre will also remember Hodge fromBlack Adamas Hawkman. He has also kept busy inDC’s animated universe, voicing John Stewart in the filmJustice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths - Part One. “As a live-action space, I would love if they revisited Hawkman. It’d be awesome to step back into those shoes again,” Hodge told us. “But if it was something where it happened to be a different hero, different character, I’m open to that as well. But I definitely would love to finish Hawkman. We had great plans there, and I would love to see those plans carried out.”
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Besides the imminentMarmalade, another hot-ticket item coming this year for Hodge is the filmParallelalongside Danielle Deadwyler. “It was a fantastic experience for my brother [Edwin] and I, stepping into this space, producing and writing, working with Danielle Deadwyler,” said Hodge. “She’s amazing. I mean, she’s a gift as an artist.”
And as we’re in the thick of it with awards season, we were curious if Hodge is rooting for any of the acclaimed films in particular. “I’m gonna give a shoutout to Danielle Brooks all day,” said Hodge ofThe Color Purple(2023) performer.
“We didClemencytogether, and I’m very proud of her. I’m very happy. She’s well-deserving, and I really hope she gets up there and knocks it down. I wish that love could have spread through to Taraji. She did a great job. Fantasia, she was amazing, but [being snubbed] doesn’t take anything away from the fact that they are incredible, gifted artists. They are monsters at their craft.”
Meanwhile, on the small screen, it seems FX’sThe Bearjust cannot be stopped, with Hodge voicing his support in our recent interview. “Ayo Edebiri is incredible. She is literally the spitting image of my sister, which is probably why I’m looking at her, like, ‘I’m literally watching my sister,'” said Hodge. “But I think she’s incredible. I’m really happy for all the success and accolades that have come her way. I don’t know her, but very proud of her.“From Signature Entertainment,Marmaladehits theaters and on demand Friday, Feb. 9.
