Orlando-based battle rapper Tony Madness has made his screen debut in an ultra-dark and violent R-Rated "deboot" of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers action franchise.
The film stars James Van Der Beek (of Dawson's Creek fame) and Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica's Starbuck) and was directed by Joseph Khan, who might be familiar to battle rap fans already as the man behind Detention, which featured appearances from Dumbfoundead and Organik. Khan has also directed music videos for the likes of Eminem, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg and U2.
Khan explains his intentions in the video's description: "Deboot of the Power Rangers. My take on the FAN FILM. Not a pilot, not a series, not for profit, strictly for exhibition. This is a bootleg experiment not affiliated or endorsed by Saban Entertainment or Lionsgate nor is it selling any product. I claim no rights to any of the characters (don't send me any money, not kickstarted, this film is free). This is the NSFW version. An alternate safe version is on youtube."
Madness only has one line of dialogue in the two brief appearances he makes playing Bulk in the 14-minute short, but it's a goodie: "I got a little tired of getting made fun of by cunt fucks." Then he gun butts Katee Sackhoff in the face.
The film is already a viral hit, with a Vimeo "Staff Pick" accolade, high ratings on Reddit and tons of press. Watch it here:
POWER/RANGERS from Joseph Kahn on Vimeo.
BattleRap.com reached out to Madness to get the story of how the whole thing came together. Here's his response:
As you may already know, from him casting Organik and Dumbfoundead before, Joseph Kahn loves battle rap. He also happens to be cool as shit. I think it was shortly after Detention that he reached out and said he would love to cast me in something. I don't look like a high schooler so Detention was obviously out haha.
He said something along the lines of 'Next time I do something I want you involved.' And, as someone who has been in music for a while you kind of just say 'thank you' and never really expect anything out of it ... WELL, fast forward a few years and BOOM, I get a message from him saying he wants to put me in his new short film. I wouldn't turn down that opportunity with a gun to my face and the threat of an AIDS needle by my arm if I said 'Yes.'
So of course I said yes and got the script but I wasn't allowed to tell anyone. I didn't even tell my mom until today haha.
It's so rare that someone follows through on something they say. He gets love from me forever right there just for being a genuine dude.
The experience was the best I have ever had doing anything. I felt like a little kid. And my role isn't even that big lol. I have traveled all over the world rapping etc. and this is by far the coolest thing I have ever done. The set where I die was crazy looking. Full-on drug addict trailer with forks stuck in the ceiling etc. I got to shoot people, gun butt a face and talk like I talk in real life. 100% fucking awesome experience. Would do again.
Check out Madness's BOTB5 classic with Kid Twist here:
And here's Organik's speech from Khan's previous film, Detention:
Thoughts? Leave them in the comments below.
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