Some would call him a genius, others a legend, and both would be correct. Despite a troubled life, or perhaps because of it, Hendrix has become known as one of the all-time greatest artists to ever lay his hands upon a guitar. Many say there was magic in his fingers every time he applied them to the strings, and few could possibly hope to disagree. In many ways he was one of the rare stars that burned brightest and faded too quickly. To play the part of Jimi Hendrix an actor would have to be a master of their craft, and would have to fully embrace the Hendrix experience.
Here are five actors who could play Jimi Hendrix
Will Smith
Given Hendrix’s traumatic upbringing and the struggles he had to go through in his life it’s reasonable to assume that Will Smith could easily encapsulate this part. He might not look that much like Hendrix, he is also starting to age a bit, but his range of emotions and acting ability could more than round out the part of this legendary musician.
Anthony Mackie
Mackie is a man whose star is still on the rise and doesn’t appear to be close to fizzling out anytime soon. Despite his roles as a superhero and sometimes reluctant protagonist he is definitely capable of playing a famed musician. This might actually be the role that would help Mackie reach that upper elite status that so many actors seek.
Mos Def
Some might say that Mos Def’s voice would keep him out of the running for this part, but keep in mind the man is a rapper and an actor. He likely knows how to modulate his voice to get the results he wants. Plus, he would be in a sense the wild card that might be able to pull off such a role without anybody ever guessing it could happen.
Jamie Foxx
Why Jamie Foxx? Why not? He’s a talented actor and despite being a bit more solidly built than Hendrix, he does possess a range of talent that can still be built upon. Foxx has done comedy and drama before, and with the role of Hendrix could possibly bring a new level to his repertoire that would help to elevate him even further as an actor. It pays to remember that actors who stick to a niche most times can always expand, and do keep in mind his role in “The Soloist”.
Andre 3000
As far as looks go Andre might actually bear the closest resemblance to Hendrix out of anyone on this list, plus he already played Hendrix in a more made for TV movie (which he later said he regretted). His facial features are a closer match, but his acting chops would definitely need a little work for the big screen. Having been a musician for so long wouldn’t hurt his chances of rounding out the role, and if he is a Hendrix fan to start with then all the better. Andre’s roles in film haven’t been many but they have been somewhat memorable, such as Jeremiah Mercer in “Four Brothers”.
Conclusion
One of the most important things that needs to be remembered for the part of Jimi Hendrix and that can’t be altered in any way is that he had a passion for the music that needs to be portrayed in a manner befitting his character. There are a a large number of African-American actors that are skilled enough and passionate enough to accomplish this film, and it would be an epic if done right.
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