Author Topic: Laurence Fishburne joins CSI  (Read 810 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

ParticleReality

  • Guest
Laurence Fishburne joins CSI
« on: August 18, 2008, 07:13:44 PM »
Quote

LOS ANGELES (AP) — "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" has solved the mystery of who will replace departing CBS series star William Petersen: It's Laurence Fishburne.

Fishburne, an Emmy and Tony winner, will be introduced in the ninth episode of the upcoming 10th season, the network told The Associated Press on Monday. He'll play a forensics scientist with a secret.

"I am elated and delighted to be joining the cast of `CSI,'" Fishburne said in a statement, adding that he looked forward to a "wonderful collaboration" with those involved in the series.

Fishburne plays a college lecturer and former pathologist who is focused on why people commit acts of violence.

The air date for Petersen's final episode has yet to be determined but will be early next year. Petersen has been with the series since it debuted in fall 2000 and will remain a "CSI" executive producer, the network said.

Fishburne's character has a deep connection to his work: His genetic profile has been identified in serial killers, CBS programming chief Nina Tassler said before Fishburne's casting was announced but as rumors swirled.

"This gentleman knows this about himself and is ... in this journey to discover who his true character will ultimately become," Tassler said last month — but he's keeping the crucial information to himself.

The character meets members of the "CSI" team during a murder investigation and ends up joining them.

Fishburne, 47, received an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Ike Turner in 1993's "What's Love Got to Do With It" and a Tony in 1992 for "Two Trains Running." He was a Tony nominee this year for the one-man show, "Thurgood," about Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.

His film credits include the "Matrix" sci-fi films, in which he played Morpheus; "Apocalypse Now"; "The Color Purple"; "Mystic River"; "21"; "Akeelah and the Bee"; and "Biker Boyz." He also is a writer and director.

"CBS asked us, `Who's at the top of your dream list?'" "CSI" executive producers Carol Mendelsohn and Naren Shankar said in a joint statement. "Without hesitation, we said Laurence Fishburne. He is a powerful and intense actor, with an incredible range."

Fishburne earned an Emmy for the 1993 premiere episode of Fox's "Tribeca" and another for the movie "Miss Evers' Boys," which marked rare TV projects for the actor. Early in his career, he appeared in shows including "Miami Vice" and "Hill Street Blues."

The long-running "CSI" remains key for CBS: It finished last season as the network's top-rated series, ranking No. 9 among all shows with an average weekly audience of 17 million. Spinoffs "CSI: Miami" and "CSI: New York" ranked 16th and 28th, respectively.

Producers have been mum about upcoming plot points. But they said Petersen's character, Gil Grissom, will be reappraising his life after years of high-tech forensics investigations with the Las Vegas Police Department and after facing personal turmoil.

"CSI," which begins its new season Oct. 9, is ready to deal with Petersen's loss, said Shankar.

"What makes shows go off the rails is they forget who they are. We're a crime-mystery-forensics drama" and that won't change, Shankar said in July.

Sounds pretty cool. You really can't go wrong with Fishburne.

Eel O'Brian

  • Southern Permasexual
  • Senior Member
Re: Laurence Fishburne joins CSI
« Reply #1 on: August 18, 2008, 07:16:30 PM »
Cowboy Dexter
sup

Great Rumbler

  • Dab on the sinners
  • Global Moderator
Re: Laurence Fishburne joins CSI
« Reply #2 on: August 18, 2008, 07:37:50 PM »
That's pretty awesome.
dog

Crushed

  • i am terrified by skellybones
  • Senior Member
Re: Laurence Fishburne joins CSI
« Reply #3 on: August 18, 2008, 07:40:42 PM »
I saw "Laurence Fishburne" on the board index and thought, "God, why is Fate killing all the black guys?"
wtc

Solo

  • Senior Member
Re: Laurence Fishburne joins CSI
« Reply #4 on: August 18, 2008, 07:47:22 PM »
You could have also titled the thread "Laurence Fishburne career officially over".

Solo

  • Senior Member
Re: Laurence Fishburne joins CSI
« Reply #5 on: August 18, 2008, 08:11:55 PM »
I know it still pulls the ratings, but, I dunno, replacing an actor on a show in its seventh or eighth season seems like a step down from his former blockbuster days.

AdmiralViscen

  • Murdered in the digital realm
  • Senior Member
Re: Laurence Fishburne joins CSI
« Reply #6 on: August 18, 2008, 11:11:56 PM »
I know it still pulls the ratings, but, I dunno, replacing an actor on a show in its seventh or eighth season seems like a step down from his former blockbuster days.

Especially since he never even saw the show before taking the role. It's not like he's always dreamed of joining the cast.

Candyflip

  • Senior Member
Re: Laurence Fishburne joins CSI
« Reply #7 on: August 18, 2008, 11:30:37 PM »
I can't believe that Grissom is leaving :gloomy And plus
spoiler (click to show/hide)
No more Warrick Brown either
[close]

The show is ruined.
ffs

Yeti

  • Hail Hydra
  • Senior Member
Re: Laurence Fishburne joins CSI
« Reply #8 on: August 19, 2008, 09:55:38 AM »
Warrick Brown is in this season according to TV Guide. How? I have no clue.

spoiler (click to show/hide)
You wont see this anyway because you have me on ignore, you fuck
[close]

What? He's dead! And Sarah left too didn't she? Seems like everyone is abandoning the CSI ship.

Plus, is Horatio dead too? I think I may be done with CSI.  :-\
WDW

Ganhyun

  • Used to worship Muckhole. Now worships Robo.
  • Senior Member
Re: Laurence Fishburne joins CSI
« Reply #9 on: August 19, 2008, 12:23:17 PM »
Warrick's was killed off because of the actor's arrest and drug possession a while back. I think he might have violated his contract or something. Or maybe they thought he was looking at jailtime so why not remove him?

Not sure but I heard Sarah was supposedly coming back?
XDF

Polari

  • Hello darkness my old friend I come to talk to you again
  • Senior Member
Re: Laurence Fishburne joins CSI
« Reply #10 on: August 20, 2008, 12:37:12 AM »
Laurence Fishburne is kind of like the black Jeremy Irons. Once was awesome, then pissed it all away by whoring himself out at every opportunity. At least Irons had the excuse of needing the money for maintaining his pink castle.