Don Cheadle won the role of Miles Davis before he even knew he was being considered.
I had not been reaching out for this role in any way, shape or form, says Cheadle.
The film premiered at the 2015 New York Film Festival and will open in theaters on April 1.
Like Daviss music, their adventure knows no boundaries, and the film flirts with the surreal.
But this isntWalk the Line.
This is a Miles Davis joint.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: When did you discover Miles Davis?
DON CHEADLE:He was someone that my parents listened to.
What was he doing differently than anyone else?
It was more what hewasntdoing.
It was more about the space that he created.
Miles was a lot about space, and thats something that was unique.
For a directorial debut, this is pretty tall order.
Did you always see this story as one you wanted to direct?
No, and when it first came to me, it was just something for me to act in.
And as I was calling them, they were kind of calling me to say the same thing.
Miles had this huge life, this huge career, this huge personality.
How did you decide to frame his life and focus on what you did?
Because so many music biopics fall victim to familiar tropes.
It is trope, I guess thats the word.
He went on to the next thing and he kind of never looked back.
The film jumps around, but the main thread of the plot is set around 1979.
Why did you chose to focus on that time period?
Just the fact that he wasnt playing.
[Laughs] That was the part that was the most interesting from a human being standpoint to me.
I imagine thats not a foreign sentiment for any actor, no matter how accomplished.
Looking back at your career, was there a moment where you figured out who you were?
Because I imagine when you started out, youre justactingas an actor.
But at some point, does something click?
And I dont know many actors that actually feel like that.
Some bad ones, probably.
So is that an element of fear?
Well, I dont know about fear.
Youre out there in front of everybody while youre trying to figure it out.
Youre not doing it in your garage.
Youre doing it in front of people, so I guess theres a vulnerability, definitely.
Because Imnotin my comfort zone.
Im reaching for something, and when you reach for something, you stumble.
You dont actually get to get there cleanly, which is another thing I loved about Miles.
Because, as Herbie [Hancock] said, Miles paid us to rehearse in front of people.
That, to me, is like the most respectful thing you might do.
Thats not what he wanted to do.
I feel like, when its the best, thats how youre supposed to feel.
Like, youre reaching, that youre always trying to figure it out.
And if youre always reaching, then yeah, youre always going to feel vulnerable.
Is that something you tried to channel when you were playing Miles.
If its just totally formless, then its just kind of, to me, bullshit.
Thats the feeling, of having all the conditions set and then not knowing whats going to happen.
You have to know what the chords are, but then anything inside those chords is allowed.
Will you be attending this years ceremony?
Oh, I dont go to the Oscars unless Im nominated usually.
The first 15 minutes of the show are going to be electric.
Oh, its got to be.
This could be a career-defining moment for him.
I hope he just goes in and gets everybody.
