O’Shea Jackson Jr. is still processing the success of Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, which turned out to be a box-office triumph. Naturally, he is excited about the prospect of a third movie in the series.
"This marks the first time I’ve had a No. 1 hit since Straight Outta Compton," Jackson Jr. shared with Yahoo Entertainment, recalling the emotional significance of this achievement after a decade-long career. In the 2015 biopic, he portrayed his father, Ice Cube, and the recent success has reignited his joy in acting.
In the heist films, Jackson stars alongside Gerard Butler. The 33-year-old actor expressed immense gratitude to Butler and director Christian Gudegast for taking a chance on him during the 2018 filming of Den of Thieves.
Reflecting on past challenges, Jackson noted that after his role in Straight Outta Compton, he faced a significant dry spell in his career. "For a whole year, I didn’t get any offers," he explained, acknowledging that critics were skeptical of his capability beyond portraying his father. However, the support from Gudegast and Butler helped him get back on track. "They are my guys, and I’m thankful for that. Whenever they need me, I’m there."
Less than three weeks following the release of the sequel, Den of Thieves 3 was officially announced. Jackson assured fans that they are already brainstorming ideas for the next installment. "Christian has some high-budget plans," he joked, adding that they are committed to expediting the process compared to the previous movie. "We are in discussions to make this happen quicker so fans won’t have to wait long."
One aspect of Den of Thieves 2: Pantera that stood out to Jackson was the evolving relationship between his character and Butler’s, allowing them to embrace a "buddy action" dynamic. Although their chemistry didn’t involve wild nights on the town, he mentioned that filming in the Canary Islands was a great experience where they had fun together.
Jackson also took the opportunity to gain insights from Butler about navigating the entertainment industry, receiving advice that echoed his father’s teachings. "[He reminded me] to always take care of myself," Jackson said, which mirrors his father’s guidance about choosing projects wisely and being prepared to turn down roles if they don’t resonate.
Looking back, Jackson admitted he felt considerable pressure after Straight Outta Compton. Initially, he had aspirations of pursuing screenwriting at USC, and he hadn’t intended on acting. "I worried that one bad movie could ruin everything," he recalled.
Upon its 2015 release, Straight Outta Compton shattered records and was a significant box-office success. Although many believed the film deserved a Best Picture Oscar nomination and voiced their dissatisfaction when it didn’t receive one, Jackson remains unfazed, humorously noting that "only ten movies can be nominated each year," and he feels grateful for the film’s reception with audiences.
As he reflects on his journey, Jackson recognizes how far he has come as an actor. "Every project after Straight Outta Compton, I just wanted to stay grounded, do my best work, and show up reliably. Anxiety kept me motivated," he admitted. "What I truly want is to keep working."
He envisions Den of Thieves evolving into a franchise akin to Fast and Furious. "I keep telling Gerard that I’m a huge fan of that series, and I’ll be working with him for as long as he’s willing—until he’s 90!" he laughed. “We’re in this for the long haul.”
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is currently available on streaming platforms.
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O’Shea Jackson Jr. wants ‘Den of Thieves’ to be the next ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise
