With the respect James Earl Jones commands, it's little wonder his latest role is that of judge -- in this case one who gets to sit in the Supreme Court.
Jones flew into town Tuesday night from his home in upstate New York for a one-day shoot for his cameo role in the movie Undercover Angel, which yesterday was filming in the Supreme Court building.
While most fans of movie stars can't wait to get a look at their screen heroes, when it comes to Jones what most people want to do is hear him speak.
After all, he is the unmistakable voice of Darth Vader and the man behind the CNN call letters.
"I sometimes find it's a cliche about the calmness of my voice," says Jones, 67. "I find that children respond well, but dogs freak out and think I'm an enemy."
The same charismatic charm with which he handles an interviewer is what garnered Jones the role in Undercover Angel.
In the movie, Jones plays a judge faced with a tough dilemma, deciding the outcome of a custody battle between Melissa (Lorraine Ansell) and the child's father Harrison (Dean Winters).
"In this case because the child is the focus of the story, the judge's power is not quite the element. The judge doesn't get off on his power, but rather his wisdom.
"He's a judge who likes to solve these kinds of cases. There are no bad guys, only people who are making mistakes but no one to put the blame on."
It was the judge's wisdom that first drew Jones to the script. He liked what he read and was immediately compelled by the scene his character played.
"The film is based on decent people and how they make mistakes, don't fulfill their expectations and obligations or have conflicts over children."
Dressed for the scene, he looks at ease in the black robe and confides he's often considered for the role of judge.
"Every time someone reads a John Grisham novel with the character in it a black judge they say, 'Jimmy you gotta make sure you get this role,"' he says.
"When looking for a 60-year-old, heavy set man with a deep voice most directors don't want to hit the nail on the head so directly," says Jones. "I don't get those roles."
But this character had Jones' name all over it.
"He was very interesting and light, more of a calm judge -- an anchor," says Jones.
Jones says he was also looking forward to seeing Ottawa. Although he spends a lot of time filming in Toronto and Vancouver and vacations in the Laurentian mountains with his family, this is his first stop in the capital.
"The people here are easier to work with, relate to and probably to deal with," says Jones.
He compares the conservative splendor of Ottawa to that of Georgetown in Washington, D.C., and was caught up with the beauty driving along the canal.
"I understand why film companies prefer to film here. It's nice and laid back and less attitude," he says.
Jones is heading to Toronto at the end of the week for filming of the movie Walk on Water.
In it he plays a retired heart surgeon who returns to his hometown. The story focuses around children spending the summer vacationing at the lake.
"I play an older black man who returns home to find his town is now a habitat for middle-class white people and the children see me as someone who doesn't belong," he said.
He has a sparkle in his eye when he compares Walk on Water to the movie Sandlot, where he played a baseball legend teaching children the love of the game.
"I play the grandfather type and it's such a great thrill."
Even with his extensive career, Jones feels he is still improving with every role. "I don't consider myself accomplished yet. I intend to get better."
Most of all what Jones is looking for in the future is for Hollywood to stop restricting roles based on race or age.
"Actors should not be compartmentalized."
More Artists
