Ice Cube has confirmed reports he lost out on a $9 million role in the film Oh Hell No because he wouldn’t get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The rapper-turned-actor discussed how the situation unfolded on a new episode of the “Million Dollaz Worth Of Game” podcast, via the Los Angeles Times.
“I turned down $9 million because I didn’t want to get the jab. F–k that jab and f–k y’all for trying to make me get it,” he said. “I don’t know how Hollywood feel about me right now.”
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Later in the interview, the rapper clarified that he didn’t actually “turn down” the role, it was taken away for non-compliance.
“Those motherfu–ers didn’t give it to me because I wouldn’t get the shot. I didn’t turn it down,” he said. “They just wouldn’t give it to me.”
As previously reported, the hip-hop star was scheduled to begin filming the movie with comedian Jack Black last winter in Hawaii. But in October 2021, news reports surfaced saying Ice Cube had bowed out of the Sony Pictures film after producers asked him to get vaccinated and he refused.
Per an agreement between the Hollywood unions and production studios, producers have the option “to implement mandatory vaccination policies for casts and crew in Zone A” — the section of a set where “activity occurs without physical distancing or the use of PPE.”
Production on the film was delayed as producers launched a search for a replacement.
It’s unclear if the project from director Kitao Sakurai (Bad Trip) and producer Jack Black will move forward.
Good for him, I didn’t and won’t take that bullshit vaccine.