Laurence Fishburne Rejected "Pulp Fiction" Role Due To Glorification Of Heroin Use

BY Erika Marie 3.3K Views
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Laurence Fishburne, Pulp Fiction, Samuel L Jackson, Heroin
The role of Jules Winnfield, portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson, was originally written for Fishburne.

As one of the most celebrated actors in Hollywood, Laurence Fishburne has been offered many roles that he's decided to turn down. It was back in January when acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino revealed that the Pulp Fiction role of Jules Winnfield, a part that was brilliantly played by Samuel L. Jackson, was originally created with Laurence Fishburne in mind. However, Fishburne would later reject the offer, so production went with Jackson instead. In a recent interview with Vulture, Laurence Fishburne confirmed Tarantino's story and added that the glorification of heroin didn't sit well with him.

“I just had a problem with the way the heroin use was dealt with,” Fishburne said of the 1994 cult classic flick co-starring Uma Thurman. “I just felt it was a little cavalier, and it was a little loose. I felt like it made heroin use attractive. For me, it’s not just my character. It’s, ‘What is the whole thing saying?’... It wasn’t about my character in Pulp Fiction. It was about the way in which the heroin thing was delivered. And the whole f*cking thing with the hypodermic and the adrenaline shot? No.”

Recently, Laurence Fishburne also revealed that he isn't involved in Matrix 4 because he wasn't asked to join the cast.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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