Born and raised in the Mission District of Northern California, T-Bone came to the project with a great deal of experience in the entertainment industry. Being a successful rap artist for over fifteen years and having starred alongside Beyoncé Knowles and Cuba Gooding Jr. in the movie The Fighting Temptations, he has brought to the set and his character a rich background and understanding of the role.
Originally, the part of Sarka was as an older gangster who has been running the city into the ground by crime, drugs and prostitution. Once T-Bone came in to audition, we knew we could not pass up what T-Bone was bringing to the table. T-Bone was so right for the part that we rewrote the character as a younger gangster who, after his father had left him with a choice, decided to continue in the ways of his father. Adapting the script and character allowed for a great opportunity to cast yet another great actor.
Kenneth Copeland world-renowned minister of the gospel, is also no stranger to the life of filmmaking. Having starred in six movies himself, he brought something very special to the set—not just a great sense of professionalism, but a creative approach to his character, which made alive his character and the story we were telling.
He understood where his character was coming from. He understood the deep choices his character would have to make and the consequences they would bring not only to him, but to those around him, including his son. Mr. Copeland’s execution of his character, Sarka Sr., was brilliant.
Everyone we cast in the film was amazing. Each of them brought a special piece to the project that we could not have done without. It is our hope that you truly enjoy this film and that your life will be changed forever.