Actor Tyler Perry will play Alex Cross in the film adaptation of author James Patterson‘s novel, I, Alex Cross. The video embedded above shows a television commercial where Patterson threatens to kill off his hero if people do not buy the book.
Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman has played Cross in other adaptations. According to Entertainment Weekly, actor Idris Elba was originally set to play the titular role in the upcoming film.
Patterson has written the first draft of the script with screenwriter Kerry Williamson. The novelist praised the movie star in the release: “Plain and simple, Tyler Perry is a movie star. He has talent and likability, and he said to me, ‘I wouldn’t take on the role of Alex Cross if I didn’t think I could do a great job.'”