Foxx is 'Bait'

Comic actor tackles new role, other projects

By Jamie Allen
CNN.com Senior Writer

ATLANTA (CNN) -- Jamie Foxx seems to be hitting his showbiz stride.

His latest step in a successful career: a new movie opening in theaters this weekend.

"Bait," from Castle Rock Entertainment, is an action-adventure/comedy about a dimwit convict named Alvin (Foxx) whom authorities use as bait by authorities desperate to flush out a wanted man.

In an interesting twist, this all happens without his knowledge. After Alvin's knocked out in a jailhouse fight, the feds stick a sensor in his jaw that tracks him and monitors his conversations everywhere he goes. It gives the movie a Big Brother story-telling device.

"That's what I like about it, because everybody (in their own lives) thinks, 'The government must be watchin','" Foxx says.

REVIEW Throw back 'Bait,' fish for something better    VIDEO Watch the movie trailer for 'Bait' Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     AUDIO Comedian Jamie Foxx takes on actors, love scenes and "Bait" Impersonating James Earl Jones and Sidney Poitier ... 288K WAV sound On his "Bait" character ... 4166K WAV sound On songwriting for "Bait" ... 320K WAV sound On his new Web site ... 560K WAV sound

Foxx, who has starred on the TV shows "In Living Color" and "The Jamie Foxx Show," as well as movies like "Any Given Sunday" (1999), says he's proud of his latest work.

"First of all, let me say this: I don't have to lie about this movie. I've lied about movies in the past when I knew they weren't good," says Foxx. "And people would stop me in the street and say, 'Man, you owe me (movie admission) $7.50.' This movie is great. 'Bait' is a good movie."

But the film only scratches the surface of Foxx's career. He's been picked for the lead role in a remake of "A Star Is Born," though that's still on hold. He's also promoting a new talent search Web site at www.foxxstarhunt.com.

There's more. After recording a song for the soundtrack of "Bait," he's planning to make another CD, a follow to "Peep This," his successful 1994 release.

"It's going to be real earthy, with a lot of the friends that I've met in the business, like (the group) Tony, Toni, Tone, and cats like that, that I vibe around," he says.

Foxx is always satisfying the stand-up comic muse, too.

"All I hang around is comedians, so we're constantly doing stand-up," he says.

He's also created a new sketch comedy show for the WB, an off-shoot of his self-titled show. Its current title is "These Nuts," and Foxx says the cast has great potential.

"I've met the next Jim Carrey, I've met the next Tracey Ullman, I have found the next Whoopi Goldberg," he says. "So I'm really excited about doing that."

Does he ever get tired of the showbiz life?

"I'm getting away with murder," he says. "I'm able to do what I really like to do, clowning around, having a good time."

Jamie Foxx huddles on 'Any Given Sunday'
December 29, 1999

'Bait'
Jamie Foxx's Talent Search Site

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