Tyrese Gibson has a thriving music career as both an R&B crooner and hip-hop star.
He just doesn’t have much time to sing – or even rap – these days.
“I’m done with music for a while. I’m taking a break,” says Gibson, who has a number of film projects coming soon including the sequel to 2006‘s “Transformers.” “Who am I to knock the unexpected blessings?”
The former model and MTV veejay currently co-stars in the new-to-DVD “Death Race,” a loose remake of the 1975 thriller “Death Race 2000.”
He plays Machine Gun Joe, one of the contestants out to drive Frankenstein (Jason Statham) off the road – permanently.
Gibson signed up for “Death Race,” in part, due to its multi-ethnic cast. It isn’t the first time he’s been blessed with that scenario. Both “Four Brothers” and “The Transformers” featured diverse casting choices.
“Death Race’s” snarky subtext – a dark look at both reality television and the results of a crumbling economy – made the script all the more appealing.
“This is something that I have to do,” he recalls saying.
Getting cast as the film’s Machine Gun Joe meant hitting the gym even harder than usual.
“I knew Jason was getting lean and mean for the part. I had to show up with my ‘A’ game, too,” says Gibson, who brought his personal trainer to the set to make sure he did just that.
He’s still grumpy he didn’t get a chance to give the film’s souped-up cars a workout.
“The stunt drivers did most of the driving,” he says, growing a bit testy. “I was pissed a little bit. I kept saying, I’m gonna send an aggressive letter to the studio. I couldn’t drive the way I wanted to … but I understand.”
Audiences will be able to see Gibson reprise his role as Sgt. Epps in “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” this summer. Beyond that, expect to see him re-team with director John Singleton – possibly in the Marvel Comics film version of black superhero Luke Cage.
“Me and John are gonna do a lot of different films,” he says. “I have a home in John Singleton and he has a home in me. It’s like Spike [Lee] and Denzel [Washington], or Martin Scorsese and Leo [DiCaprio].”
Gibson broke into the music business as a teen, but he’s grateful just to be seen on the silver screen at this point.
“It really is overwhelming. I’m honored to say that I’m still working in this town. The phone is ringing and people have me in mind,“ he says.
NOTE: Tyrese Gibson wants to hear from you. Drop the actor a message at (818) 287-8968. He says the line is free of charge …
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(Photo: Tyrese Gibson stars as Machine Gun Joe in “Death Race,” out Dec. 23 on DVD)
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