Ice Cube Says He Was Denied A Major Film Job Because He’s Unvaccinated
Rapper and actor Ice Cube claims he lost out on an undisclosed film role, and a $9 million payday, for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Rapper, actor, and filmmaker Ice Cube states that his career has suffered due to his refusal to get the COVID- 19 vaccine. Entertainment Weekly has reported that Ice Cube claims to have lost $9 million for an undisclosed film role where he was denied the chance to star in the role due to being unvaccinated.
Ice Cube colorfully stated that he wouldn’t be getting jabbed and “F— you all for trying to make me get it.” He discussed the situation in a recent episode of the podcast Million Dollaz Worth of Game.
One of the podcast hosts asked if he had plans to leave Hollywood for streaming. He stated that he has something in the works, is hustling, and has several things up his sleeve.
He didn’t refer to the project by name, but this isn’t the first time an incident like this has been reported. In October 2021, he refused to receive the vaccination for a role in the Oh, Hell No comedy produced by Sony, which would have seen Ice Cube co-star with Jack Black in the movie that was slated to film in Hawaii. It is unclear if these are the same incidents or not.
Ice Cube apparently left another production, Flint Strong, in the summer of 2021. It would later be reported that he was replaced by Brian Tyree Henry for the role in the boxing drama that will see cinematographer Rachel Morrison make her directorial debut.
During the podcast episode, he talked about not declining the role, but they wouldn’t give it to him without him being vaccinated. This issue has caused problems on other projects that have seen actors depart their series due to the controversy. Rockmond Dunbar left 9-1-1, and Steve Burton bowed out of his General Hospital role.
These restrictions have begun to loosen, which may provide performers like Ice Cube and others to have more choices in the roles they will be able to accept. US-based series like Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19 have lifted these restrictions.
Ice Cube isn’t the only celebrity to make headlines due to COVID vaccination rules. Sean Penn refused to return to the Gaslit miniseries set until each cast member and crew member received the vaccination. Things evidently went his way, as the first season of Gaslit is available to stream on Starz.
There is no news regarding Ice Cube’s status on upcoming projects, including War of the Worlds, Lifeform, and Accidentes. He was also slated to be included in Ride Along 3, a series of films he has done with Kevin Hart, that is currently in development.
It seems that Ice Cube may need to get creative until things change in his favor regarding the vaccination status. He is a pioneer of gangsta rap with his 1988 album Straight Outta Compton, which saw a rise in popularity for the music genre. He would then reinvent himself as an actor in the early 1990s. Perhaps he can set his sights on something new and innovative as he is a very talented individual.
