John David Washington, star of the upcoming biographical crime comedy BlacKkKlansman, directed by Spike Lee and based on the book written by the “odds-defying” police officer that was at the center of it all, Ron Stallworth. It’s the early 1970s, and Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) is the first African-American detective to serve in the Colorado Springs Police Department. Determined to make a name for himself, Stallworth bravely sets out on a dangerous mission: infiltrate and expose the Ku Klux Klan. The young detective soon recruits a more seasoned colleague, Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver), into the undercover investigation of a lifetime. Together, they team up to take down the extremist hate group as the organization aims to sanitize its violent rhetoric to appeal to the mainstream. Produced by the team behind the Academy-Award® winning Get Out (2017).

John David Washington is a former standout running back who attended the historically Black Morehouse College in Georgia before moving onto a professional career that included the St. Louis Rams, Rhein Fire and Sacramento Mountain Lions. It should come as little surprise that it was football that bridged his acting career. Even though he got his official start in acting over 25 years ago in the Spike Lee directed Malcolm X (1992) which also starred his father, Denzel Washington, he really gained notoriety in his role as Ricky Jerrett on HBO’s hit NFL dramedy series Ballers. His career has gone full circle with the release of BlacKkKlansman. We were extremely fortunate to have an opportunity to sit down with Mr. Washington to pick his brain on this unbelievably true story, including what it felt like to be a part of such an eye-opening movement.

Could you talk about working with Spike Lee and what it meant to you to join this great tradition?
It was like joining a franchise that you’ve loved your whole life, a winning franchise. One of great tradition. Being apart of that ring of champions was an honor. He’s a man that loves his craft, that he appreciates telling his stories correctly. It was an incredible learning experience and felt no pressure at all. I felt welcome and actually encouraged because this legend trusted me. It’s that kind of encouragement that helps you exceed expectations. Your abilities become limitless. That kind of feeling is second to none.

How much of the shaping goes on during the shoot or does Spike Lee have it meticulously thought out and planned or does he give you the freedom to move?
Organized chaos! We rehearsed for two and a half weeks. We discussed film and discussed the meaning of this film and what we were looking for. We worked on our process; changing the script. The best idea in the room wins. So on the set we had a structure but he (Spike) is a master at being able to recognize momentum and authentic moments. When those moments happen you just kind of go off the reservation. You go off book and just be in that moment. A lot of that went on in this film which made it better.

When you were first introduced to Ron Stallworth, when you first learned of what went on, what were your first thoughts?
Surprised. Offended. Prideful. Proud. It felt like a true American story but one that slipped through the cracks. What this man pulled off, he did his job which was extremely heroic. He protected and served his community. A black officer, we don’t usually get to know the perspective of an African-American police officer. We usually get the story of the Black Panther or gangster or whatever. So I really appreciated the perspective of this story and what he was able to do under this investigation in this time. You could do a movie about how Ron Stallworth became the first black cop of Colorado Springs. That in itself is historical and a great story. Yeah, I was excited to know that this story was going to be handled by Jordan Peele and Spike Lee. I don’t think this story could have been handled by anybody else. Tonally and the importance of the story and what this man did. So I was proud and excited, and through the roof about being able to work with this guys, with this film.

Was it Ron’s story, what happened or the current parallels that are happening in society that drew you to this project?
Reading and researching it, I wasn’t thinking in parallels. I wasn’t drawing the connections between what was contemporary and what went on then. I was so engulfed in the period. To me it felt like a more radical time coming off of Vietnam, the murders of JFK, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X. Those were hits. They were knocked off. So seeing the movie and what happens at the end, I saw more of a connection and realized the language with the trigger words were familiar. Those are ageless, those are generational. I was like oh my goodness. I think that way when I’m doing it, when I’m in the process so that’s a deterrent to the truth of the process. I gotta live in the moment. I gotta live in this world So that’s probably why I didn’t make those connections.

After meeting Ron Stallworth, as far as character and portrayal of him, what about him was important to you to get across to the audience? What kind of characteristics about the man himself played into your portrayal of him?
He was a man of his community. He cared, both for his African-American people and people in general. He was a man who did his job and did it correctly. He did it the right way. He faced death and hate right in the face. He put his life on the line. As an actor someone yells “cut” and we stop. For him, what he sacrificed, was incredible. I wanted people to really feel how real this was. I played him as honest as I could. I didn’t want to make him a caricature. I didn’t want to go for funny. I didn’t approach this like a comedy because he didn’t. It wasn’t funny to him. What was happening was humorous and it helped motivate him.

But it is a funny movie because it’s insane. There’s just natural comedy built in.
That’s why I want more people to see this to get their perspective. Personally, I didn’t think this film was suggestive in any way. The key of what linked this all together, the nexus if you would, is that it’s true and accurate. The relevancy of today is still prevalent right now. Spike didn’t necessarily point to the audience and say “that’s the bad guy.” We can see it for ourselves. We can’t help but laugh at some of the ridiculousness of what’s going on. I thought that was a great spine for this film. Because it happened, we didn’t have to manipulate the script in any way in terms of the investigation.

Last year, Get Out opened a lot of eyes. This year the flood gates have opened up with Blindspotting and Sorry to Bother You, both fictions. Yet somehow those movies seem more realistic (at least until one of them completely jumped the track of believably) than BlacKkKlansman. How does it feel to be part of this new movement?
I’m so humbled and the luckiest man on this planet to help tell this part of American history. It happened in our own backyard. It was interesting, watching it in France at the Cannes Film Festival, I was embarrassed for my country a little bit. I was like we have a lot of work to do. But there was also pride because there were men and women that assisted Ron that were white. It took them doing their job to overcome this hate and have a successful sting operation. So that was encouraging as well.

Because the story seemed so outlandish, do you think there will be any issues/push back with the film’s legitimacy?
Good. Find out. I hope Ron goes on tour. I held Ron’s Ku Klux Klan’s membership card so I know it’s true. I didn’t want to imitate him, I just needed his spirit. And that card felt like his spirit when he allowed me to handle it. Let’s talk about it. Let’s challenge the relevancy and accuracy. All of it. Hopefully that dialogue can push the subject forward.

Spike never makes a film to just make a film. He always has something to say, a perspective to share. What’s your take on how much a film can actually affect people’s minds, affect change and create action?
If we can influence or inspire one person, then I feel satisfied. We have people that in office, in government, that are properly armed to answer some of these questions. I am not one of them. I do it through the arts and crafts. If I can inspire someone to make changes and sort of bridge the gap, or at least be a part of it. Give people the kind of table to discuss these things and celebrate our differences and positivity to find a common ground.

What didn’t we ask that you want to get across to fans today?
I just want to make sure that when everybody sees this film, there’s harsh language. It’s piercing, it hurts. This is what hate sounds like. You see that it’s generational. I want people to start choosing their words more carefully and start paying attention to what we say, even in joking or passing. Even within our culture, can a hip-hop artist get the same point across without cuss words, without certain usage of the N-word. I’m talking to myself as well. Whether it’s joking or even inclusive and for the common good, we gotta start being real careful with the words we use. I think starting to change some of the vernacular and start bridging that gap. This film just sort of sparked that idea. Just listening to it. Every N-word in this film is for a reason, it’s not for shock value. Every F-word, every slur is for a reason. It is to invite hate in. I want people to pay attention to how we sound as Americans and how we’ve been sounding for a long time. These are the same words used now. We’ve evolved in other ways in resistance through hashtags and taking knees but on these same issues we need to mind our words.

BlacKkKlansman Trailer: