I was asked by the media the other day if I was nervous on the set of the two movies that I shot this summer because I was around some of the biggest stars in Hollywood. But you know what? I really felt comfortable out there with those guys.
I really don’t think there was any reason for me to be nervous around people like Julia Roberts just because she is a big movie star. I mean, really, it’s just like me being on the same court with Kobe Bryant when we’re playing the Lakers. He’s a big star in basketball too, so it’s kind of like the same thing to me.
As basketball players, we have the cameras on us every game we play and people following us around with cameras and microphones, so it’s kind of like being in front of the camera on a movie set. You just get used to it.
Ya’ll know I’m going to be in “Just Wright,’’ a movie with Queen LaTifah. And I’m also in “Valentine’s Day’’ with Julia Roberts, Jamie Foxx, Jessica Biel, Jessica Alba, Ashton Kutcher and Anne Hathaway. I was supposed to have smaller parts originally, but the directors liked my work so much that they expanded my roles a little bit.
In both movies, I’ve just played myself. If they want Dwight Howard and need me to be Superman, that’s what I’m gonna do. The way I see it is you have to start somewhere as an actor, and I’m willing to pay my dues. Hopefully, some day I can grow as an actor and take on other roles I guess you’d call non-traditional for an athlete.
Of course, my focus is on basketball and leading the Magic to a championship. That’s what consumes me every day and it’s my first thought when I wake up in the morning.
But acting is something that I truly enjoy and I want to get better at it. I was in a lot of plays and short stories when I was in high school, so it’s something that I’ve always done.
Ya’ll will have to check out my movies later this year and let me know if you think I have any acting chops. Gimme some feedback and let me know whatcha think aboutcha boy on the big screen.
Holla back at ya’ll later.
—D-12
Fans: Be sure to check out Dwight on Twitter, Facebook and Superfan
Then, things got even better. I worked on two movies – the first one was “