Categories: Archives

Gabrielle Union gets her big chance

When the best actress Oscar came calling for Halle Berry, everyone knew there’d be bigger,… When the best actress Oscar came calling for Halle Berry, everyone knew there’d be bigger, better things in store for her.

But for Gabrielle Union?

Berry was set to star in “Deliver Us from Eva,” an update of Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew.” But the pre-Oscar buzz – and the potential salary hike that a win brings – put that at risk.

That’s when it paid to be the backup.

Union landed her first leading role in “Eva,” which opened Friday, thanks to one of her biggest fans, writer-director Gary Hardwick.

“He went to the studio on a leap of faith that he could convince them to give the lead to me,” Union says, taking a break from a full day of promotional duties for Hardwick’s film. He knew he wanted Union if Berry didn’t work out.

“When he started talking to me … I’m like, ‘Oh God, I don’t think I’m ready.’ He just said ‘No, you’re ready, I believe in you.’ … After the first day of shooting, I was like, ‘OK, I got this.'”

You might not know her name, but chances are, you’ve seen her.

Union has been in her share of teen movies and limited release black comedies – “She’s All That,” “Love ‘ Basketball,” “10 Things I Hate About You.”

Her big break came as Isis, the head cheerleader of the inner-city squad in 2000’s “Bring It On,” alongside Kirsten Dunst.

Hardwick met Union on the set, where he was working as one of the script doctors and writing speaking parts for her character.

“Finally, everybody will see what I saw 2 1

Pitt News Staff

Share
Published by
Pitt News Staff

Recent Posts

Students gear up, get excited for Thanksgiving break plans 

From hosting a “kiki” to relaxing in rural Indiana, students share a wide scope of…

3 hours ago

Photos: Pitt Women’s Basketball v. Delaware State

Pitt women’s basketball defeats Delaware State 80-45 in the Petersen Events Center on Wednesday, Nov.…

3 hours ago

Opinion | Democrats should be concerned with shifts in blue strongholds

Recent election results in such states have raised eyebrows nationwide, suggesting a deeper shift in…

12 hours ago

Editorial | Trump’s cabinet picks could not be worse

Over the past week, President-elect Donald Trump began announcing his nominations for Cabinet secretaries —…

13 hours ago

What Trump’s win means for the future of reproductive rights 

Pitt professors give their opinions on what future reproductive health care will look like for…

14 hours ago

Police blotter: Nov. 8 – Nov. 20

Pitt police reported one warrant arrest for indecent exposure at Forbes and Bouquet, the theft…

14 hours ago