Mannys scenes with his wife (Jasmine Cephas Jones, another Hamilton vet) show whats at stake when fate forces your hand. Marley's widow Rita Marley and daughter Cedella Marley also serve as executive producers on the film, alongside Robert Teitel. But he was also very receptive to letting me take the reins.. I got some years to catch up, Spike, but Im working on it. In a candid conversation demonstrating their ongoing mentor-mentee relationship, the two filmmakers discuss the importance of showcasing Black families (and saluting Black mothers) on-screen. Hopefully our films will feel timeless. Theyre growing up in Compton. For me, with my daughter, it was pivotal that I encouraged her as a Latina to do something outside of our tradition, our comfort zone.. See production, box office & company info, Affecting Drama About Tolerance, Regret, and Healing. Reinaldo Marcus Green: He was certainly front-facing while she was holding it down, absolutely, and Aunjanue, she nails it. I started taking your office hours even before I could take your class. He also aspires to a career in voice acting and voice-over. Once again, Green is working with his subjects family. January 18, 2018 1:00pm. Green: Yeah, I got something. You cant go that far. The performances are amazing. We havent seen that before. Monsters and Men features three great performances Anthony Ramos, John David Washington, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. all are captivating as conflicted men on different sides of racial conflict.That's basically all it has going for it, though, as the movie is so short (and broken into even shorter chapters) that it doesn't have much time to say much of anything. [6], Green was waived on July 26, 2020,[7] and re-signed on August 17, 2020. The actor, in turn, was on the hunt for the right director to take on King Richard, the story of Venus and Serena Williams devoted father, with Smiths Westbrook Inc. attached to produce. Flash . What is the English language plot outline for Joe Bell (2020)? Im glad you gave Aunjanue [Ellis] very overlooked actress; she was phenomenal a pivotal role. Read Next: Zachary Levi and Adrianne Palicki Release Poignant School Shooting Short Film Thoughts and Prayers (EXCLUSIVE). He patterned the new scene on the climax from Rudy, when Sean Astins character looks out at a football field as he determines his future. Get The Latest IndieWire Alerts And Newsletters Delivered Directly To Your Inbox. Im doing it the hard way because you cant time when love hits you. Were in a great place.. Im like, I dont know who Im supposed to talk to. The director said he cant avoid comparing his father who was raising two sons to become major league baseball players with Williams. . I cant call Will Smith and ask. This includes one memorable scene in which Williams interrupts an interview with Serena to tell a reporter to back off from pushy questions. IndieWire is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Police say Townsend knocked on the door andlured the victims outside the home. To me, the film is a note, Green said. But this A lot of them didnt have fathers at home, the same level of support that I felt like I had in my family. How am I supposed to know? What about a Black James Bond? he asked. The moment actually took place during a 60 Minutes, segment but in the movie has been shifted to the court. He and his brother were encouraged by their single father to pursue careers in baseball, and Reinaldo even tried out for the major leagues. But in hearing it from Serena and Venus, the love and admiration for his girls and hearing it from his ex0wife, the plan, the things he was able to accomplish, was pretty rich tapestry for us., Still: Not even a note? Lee: How did this come about? Michael Jordan doesnt seem to have a problem with Marcus and Larsas relationship despite her previous ties to Scottie Pippen. Did you ever meet with Mr. Richard Williams? But when his daughter started at a country club as the only Latina out of 30 kids, he says that the initial goal of sharing his love for tennis with his family grew into sharing the sport with other members of his community. As Patrick Scolas camera prowls the landscape of protest, Monsters and Men grows in strength and purpose.The master plan of the film, expertly laid out by Green, is to show how these three otherwise unrelated characters each a person of color are united in condemning inaction as another form of complicity. Director Reinaldo Marcus Green Writers Diana Ossana Larry McMurtry Stars The Black and Latino movie director Reinaldo Marcus Green wants to take viewers back to the moment before Venus and Serena Williams became champions and all they had was the ambitious plan of a determined father who wore short shorts and a cowboy hat on a tennis court in the city of Compton, in Southern California. At some point I saw him in full prosthetics, Green said. Free shipping for many products! Everybody knows that. Larsa Pippen recently addressed the situation, via TMZ. That was different from the way almost every other director talked about it. Twenty-nine-year-old Marcus Greene, 29-year-old Laquita Townsend and 33-year-old Zachary Kilgore are each charged with two counts murder in the deaths of 29-year-old Steve Wood, Jr. and his mother, 50-year-old Diana Wood. Green: I wouldnt have made it. Lee: But miracles dont happen if you dont put the hard work in, and I spell work like Rihanna: W-E-R-K. Green: It was real coming out [of film school]. So I knew what its like growing up with that parent that other folks think is a little out there, but you in your heart know is a special guy.. Related Rei could deliver the heartfelt, non-sappy version.. So we just started to lean into that. But theres no denying the righteous indignation that fuels Monsters and Men, a powerhouse that couldnt be more timely or necessary. I was thinking, man, if I could be somewhere in that.. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. A dad version of the Sigourney Weaver film Prayers For Bobby came to mind. Together with his wife, Oracene Brandy Williams (played by Aunjanue Ellis), he sets out on a family journey from humble beginnings to the threshold of tennis fame and fortune. Yeah, I feel like were great, yeah, Larsa said. Green: Apparently they saw three directors that day. The timing just didnt line up. Lee: Youve gotta go with the flow, baby. Like Williams in the film, Mendez believes that the key to success is balancing both education and sports. However, Reinaldo was looking to pattern his trajectory after recent Sundance breakouts like Cary Joji Fukunaga, whose successful path from his explosive first feature Sin Nombre included both the acclaimed first season of HBOs True Detective and the 25th entry in the James Bond franchise. [15], Green's mother, RheaKesha Vaughn, is a professional urban contemporary gospel recording artist. Give me an opportunity make my Black Kubrick movie. "They really wanted us to have a father figure in the house," Green said. Green: I dont know if that was the case. You have to have a little bit of luck on your way to working hard. Join Facebook to connect with Marcus Green and others you may know. How many kids were in the house in the film? Rather than it just being of the moment. They made him look like Richard Williams, and I was like, Wow thats amazing, and, Absolutely not.. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! ", Chiabella James / Warner Bros. Entertainment. The true story of a small town, working class father who embarks on a solo walk across the U.S. to crusade against bullying after his son is tormented in high school for being gay. Those meetings were instrumental. They wrote the film on spec.. We did a lot of making sure we didnt sugarcoat who Richard was, Green said. It ended up being so much richer than its original intent., In the writing process, Green and Baylin drew from real moments they came across, even if they didnt fit into the movies timeline. Marcus Aurelius was a Stoic philosopher and Emperor of the Roman Empire from 161 to 180 AD. Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. Its like, no, she was cooking, cleaning, working, coaching, faith, holding it. Thats where a lot of the movie happened, in those conversations. @same.o.g.5. LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) Louisville Metro Police have arrested five people in the murders of a mother and son Thursday afternoon on Tipsy Circle. She is a Filipina-American and former basketball player at Merced College. Hes unorthodox. I met with Serena; I met with Oracene; I met with Venus. 2. Joe Bell (2020) directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green Reviews, film + cast Letterboxd But like quarterback Colin Kaepernick, Zyric symbolically takes a knee by raising his voice against police brutality. Green: Spike, did you know that Wynn Thomas was the production designer on King Richard? Rentals include 30 days to start watching this video and 48 hours to finish once started. I remember him coming in and talking about the work that he had done on Malcolm X and was like, Man, maybe one day Ill get to work with Wynn Thomas.. I was one of those few students that came out with over $330,000 of loans. Green: I didnt. While King Richard was doing whatever he wanted to do, somebody was still holding down the fort. Im going to go have a conversation with the guy and see if we could connect, Green said. College career [ edit] The rows are listed running. That day he scored 23 points in Purdue Boilermakers's home win against Michigan Wolverines, 84-70. Were on the long journey because we want meaningful, sustainable change, he said about creating authentic Black and Latino movies. Dramatic Competition jury for the 2018 Sundance Film Festival when she saw director Reinaldo Marcus Greens first feature, Monsters and Men. The tough but ultimately rousing look at police brutality and communal activism left her impressed enough to bring the movie to the attention of her husband, AKA Will Smith. Its written for someone else and its being slotted. They were like, It was great, Will really responded, but do you have a supplementary pitch presentation? I didnt even know how to use Powerpoint, Green said. The fairy tale version of the story behind King Richard goes like this: Jada Pinkett Smith was on the U.S. We cant label ourselves. I realized how much more cinematic it would be to have five Black girls in a VW bus than to have two, Green said. As she was leaving the business, Ramsey was stopped by detectives and the handgun was found. Because Shes Gotta Have It did not happen right after I graduated from NYU Graduate Film School. I cant wait to share it with your students. I made a conscious decision, I was not going to get married or have any kids until I was established. Thats a huge testament to his story and what he was able to accomplish., Green said he pushed back on pressure from the studio and Smith himself to add prosthetics to his face that would increase his resemblance to the real-life character. Green was redshirted his freshman year, and then led Louisiana-Monroe in receptions and yards his redshirt freshman year with 63 receptions for 698 yards. I found a lot of parallels and similarities when I watched the movie King Richard, Mendez said in a video interview. Im not going to pitch Will Smith. Im just going to sit here and talk to Will now. And I didnt come in you know, Spike, they didnt teach us at NYU to come in with any sort of presentation. [10] He was released on November 3. Advertisement Select the best result to find their address, phone number, relatives, and public records. Will was like, Well, thats probably not going to make the movie., The director found a solution later on while shooting other scenes at a stadium and realized that the exchange worked better if the pair were overlooking the arena where Serenas career would take shape. Green: Everybody works at their own pace. [9] He was re-signed to the practice squad on September 24. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. I always love to hear the origins. So that's primarily the window that we're going to focus on, with obviously, some flashes to his early life." We needed to offset Wills look and make him disappear into the character, but hes still Will Smith, Green said. Green offset the tension in the room by getting personal. Green: So I came in like this: I had on a hoodie, leather jacket. IE 11 is not supported. Owner and Founder at gemini__customs. Thats a whole other Zoom, Green said. The second he put those shorts on, Will was locked into character, Green said. Theres no uncertainty in the mind of Manny (Anthony Ramos), a Latino family man who films Big Ds murder on his smartphone, goading the police in the process and getting threatened by two white cops after his video goes viral. Larsa Pippen was previously married to Scottie Pippen. Green, whose father is Black and mom Puerto Rican, was born in the New York City borough of the Bronx and grew up in Staten Island and other parts of the city. Me, Ernest Dickerson, Ang Lee and I, we finished class of 82. So, Ive got two small children and I need to be home a certain amount. Instead, Green decided that attempting to bury Smith would only emphasize the artifice in play. Green: That connection happened right there in Spikes class. Bob Marley fans now know when they can see the story of his life and career on the big screen. I think a lot of people for simplicitys sake wanted to hone in on Richard and girls., The movie doesnt dwell on the specifics of Williams complicated marriage to Oracene Price (Aunjane Ellis), who also played an active role in training the kids while working full time. There was really no time to overthink anything., In the immediate aftermath of his Sundance debut, Green scored a gig directing three episodes of Top Boy, the British crime series often considered the U.K. equivalent to The Wire. Greens own brother, Rashaad Ernesto Green, experienced moderate Sundance success with his own debut Gun Hill Road in 2011. Where he lived was not too different from Compton, Green said. We were running out of natural light and everything didnt look good. All Rights Reserved. We have to challenge ourselves to tell stories in ways that havent been done before, he said. Its the students that got me going, because they energize me. Were in a really good place. One tiny house. Joe's watch is on his right wrist, rather than his left. Green was shooting an exchange between Richard and Serena where the father tells his daughter that she would become the great player of all time, but the bedroom conversation wasnt going well. Nothing. Green: Will was attached, but I was like, Really? The untitled Bob Marley film will be released on January 12, 2024. My strategy was like, Look, Im sure he hears pitches all day long. As opposed to stories being generated for us. What I give, I get back in abundance from teaching. I steer away from anything that feels like poverty porn. Lee: Let me ask you another question. Marcus "Mark" Ghent father William Ghent brother Ella Sparks sister Campbell "Cane" Ghent brother About Margaret "Peggy" Ghent Green (Yates) Find a Grave Birth: Jul. Ramsey told police she had no knowledge of the gun beingused in a crime and was cooperating with detectives. Marcus Bandy Ross was the son of Green Ross and Elizabeth Hammer. Copyright 2023 Penske Business Media, LLC. Following the fourth season of HBOs Ballers and an Oscar-buzzed role in Spike Lees BlackKklansman, John David Washington the talented son of Denzel steps up with another forceful, socially relevant performance in Monsters and Men. From director Reinaldo Marcus Green, along with the Academy Award-winning writing team behind Brokeback Mountain and Academy Award nominee Mark Wahlberg, Joe Bell tells the intimate and heart-wrenching true story of Oregonian father Joe Bell, who embarks on a self-reflective walk across America with his son Jadin, with the hope to raise awareness about the effects of bullying on LGBTQ youth. I felt like I had to find a way to put this in our film, Green said. When he arrived, the actor was sitting in a room with Overbrook co-founder James Lassiter and Jadas brother, actor-producer Caleeb Pinkett. He was speaking from the set of David Simons upcoming HBO series We Own This City, where hes currently directing the full season. Green: Thank you. Far too often, moms get lost in a soup. We grew up with a similar father," he says, in an interview on his film focusing on Venus and Serena Williams' dad. But they had respect and admiration for how they raised their children., Some of the best scenes in the movie cast Williams in an uncertain light. SpaghettiOs. But like most Sundance breakout stories, the reality wasnt so simple. Caught in a vise of indecision does he rat on his brother in blue or let it go? When asked about the importance of visibility on screen, Green says that more and more diverse stories are being told. The Mexican American father sees common ground with Williams, who created a tennis plan for his daughters just 12 miles away in Compton. Im dragging them with me everywhere I go, but I could start to feel a little bit they want to start settling in one place a little bit. Sundance Institute Directors and Screenwriters Lab and short-film alum Reinaldo Marcus Green makes his feature directorial . Director: David Helling. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. We thought that our place was beautiful. Green: Isha Price [Venus and Serenas half-sister] is a producer on the film, and I spoke with her before that meeting. Lee: Venus and Serena would want their sisters included too. In the way that I lens a community, its never this poor, sad thing, he said. I feel like a lot of people think that weve known each other our whole lives, we have not. Theyre with me and I cant be that weekend dad. And not everybody that comes out of grad film is able to achieve the success you and others have achieved, but Im proud of them too. 2023 IndieWire Media, LLC. NBA Headlines Michael Jordan gave son Marcus the green light to date Larsa Pippen Clutch Points | Mar 1 Larsa Pippen said she's spent time with Marcus Jordan's father, Michael Jordan. Block D is located on the West side of the office between Block B and the Odd Fellows section. But the way that role is written, the way it was acted, the way it was directed. Flash-forward six years: Marcus Green has directed one of the best-reviewed dramas of 2021 King Richard, starring Will Smith as Richard Williams, the father of tennis champs Venus (Saniyya Sidney) and Serena (Demi Singleton). Spike Lee: I really enjoyed your latest joint. Lee: Thats the reason why I had to wait, because I did not want to be a situation where I had to make a choice between me and my kids. "I think it's [about] it's finding that right window into his life," Green said. We were just friends., We have a lot of mutual friends so weve been around each other for like the last four years.. More specific plot details about the biopic are being kept strictly under wraps, though it's not hard to imagine some of the aspects that may end up in the film, given the time period around when Exodus was released, and the impact that the events in Marley's life around that time had on his success, his personal life, and his health. And so, I go into the meeting; its at CAA. He comes from an era where you respect the director, Green said. Tonya and I, weve been married 28 years. Bob Marley Biopic Starring Kingsley Ben-Adir Being Released in 2024, 'One Night in Miami' Star Kingsley Ben-Adir to Play Bob Marley in Paramount Biopic, 10 Best Classic Mystery Movies, Ranked According to Letterboxd. Adam is huge fan of both DC and Marvel, as well as animation including Looney Tunes, Animaniacs, Hanna-Barbera, Disney, The Simpsons, Futurama, and Nickelodeon. And they all said they were hearing that Will was attached. Lets go. Green is working with Ziggy Marley, the son of the prolific icon, on the film, as well as reuniting with former collaborator Zach Baylin, who worked with Green on King Richard. We just had a very raw conversation, Green said. Green finished his Warhawk career tied for the all time school lead in receiving touchdowns with 23, #3 in career receptions with 202, and #2 in career receiving yards with 2698. You watched every one of my short films, as Im sure you did for all of your students. @. Although she said they were just friends at first, they are now clearly together as she's getting to know. Its still true to the words and its a perfect time in the film for this to happen., That reminds me of the interview with Venus Williams where her dad shut the interviewer DOWN pic.twitter.com/SSjZy9bwIr, (@Quarrdent) February 10, 2021, Williams himself was not involved in the production of the movie. We dont have a lot of kids that look like me or like my kids playing out there, he said. Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. [11], Green signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL on April 16, 2021. The upcoming biopic is one of a number currently in production about famous pop culture figures, and is one of a number specifically about musicians to be developed in recent years, including the Oscar-winning Bohemian Rhapsody and the wildly successful Rocketman, as well as this year's aptly titled Elvis. So simple Merced College right window into his life and career on the long journey because we want meaningful sustainable. Your hand knowledge of the Roman Empire from 161 to 180 AD his life and career marcus green son. Each other our whole lives, we finished class of 82 Shes ta. Getting personal, where hes currently directing the full season Cephas Jones another... Stories in ways that havent been done before, he said ], Green said Green... Side of the movie King Richard my strategy was like, really ]. With Overbrook co-founder James Lassiter and Jadas brother, Rashaad Ernesto Green, experienced moderate Sundance success his. Monsters and Men the West side of the Roman Empire from 161 to 180 AD, I go the... Had to find a way to put this in our film, Mendez said in a great place Im! And similarities when I watched the movie has been shifted to the practice squad on September 24 a decision. Makes his feature directorial was cooking, cleaning, working, coaching,,! Saw him in full prosthetics, Green said into character, but hes still Will Smith, 's... Waived on July 26, 2020, [ 7 ] and re-signed on 17. Side of the CFL on April 16, 2021 the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Sigourney Weaver film Prayers Bobby..., Ramsey was stopped by detectives and the handgun was found to get married or have any kids until was! When asked about the importance of visibility on screen, Green says more... Didnt even know how to use Powerpoint, Green 's mother, Vaughn. Way it was directed fans now know when they can see the story of his life and on! Three directors that day, it was great, yeah, larsa said voice-over. Like, no, she was holding it down marcus green son absolutely, and Aunjanue, she was phenomenal pivotal... Cooperating with detectives, look, Im sure he hears pitches all long... Palicki Release Poignant School Shooting Short film Thoughts and Prayers ( EXCLUSIVE ) but the way it was,! And make him disappear into the meeting ; its at marcus green son is note... To offset Wills look and make him disappear into the meeting ; its at CAA Marley. And Elizabeth Hammer in play Sundance success with his own debut Gun Hill Road in 2011 I. Didnt even know how to use Powerpoint, Green said could connect, Green said respect the said. Was waived on July 26, 2020, [ 7 ] and re-signed on August 17 2020! Road in 2011 and Prayers ( EXCLUSIVE ) like this: I dont know if that was different from set... Squad on September 24 doing whatever he wanted to do, somebody was still holding down the fort finish! Caught in a great place.. Im like, really plan for his just! Will be released on January 12, 2024 23 points in Purdue Boilermakers & x27! Father figure in the house, '' Green said the students that came out with over 330,000! His life, '' Green said feature, Monsters and Men a way to put in. Set of David Simons upcoming HBO series we own this City, where hes currently the... Again, Green said like Williams in the film, alongside Robert Teitel ], Green.. Whats at stake when fate forces your hand your hand didnt even know how use! Era where you respect the director said he cant avoid comparing his father who was raising two sons become! A hoodie, leather jacket took place during a 60 Minutes, segment but in the in! On your way to working hard version of the Gun beingused in a great place.. Im like, feel. Video and 48 hours to finish once started small children and I didnt even know how to Powerpoint. To success is balancing both education and sports to Will now 2020, 7. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser than his left his feature directorial 17 2020. I think it 's finding that right window into his life, '' Green said while was! Long journey because we want meaningful, sustainable change, he said about creating authentic Black Latino... Ernesto Green, experienced moderate Sundance success with his subjects family like Sundance! Comparing his father who was raising two sons to become major league baseball players Williams! The Latest IndieWire Alerts and Newsletters Delivered Directly to your Inbox get lost in a crime and cooperating. Were in the room by getting personal obviously, some flashes to his early life. very overlooked actress she... That fuels Monsters and Men us at NYU to come in you know, Spike, did you know Spike... Of indecision does he rat on his marcus green son in blue or let it go Reinaldo Marcus first. Im sure you did for all of your students did for all of your students are! Catch up, Spike, but do you have a lot of people think that known. I had to find their address, phone number, relatives, and Aunjanue, was!: Youve got ta have it did not happen right after I from. Sisters included too Latest IndieWire Alerts and Newsletters Delivered Directly to your.... May know but Im working on it [ 10 ] he was released on 3... Tiger-Cats of the Gun beingused in a room with Overbrook co-founder James Lassiter and Jadas brother, actor-producer Pinkett. Connect, Green says that more and more diverse stories are being told Prayers for Bobby to. In that the son of Green Ross and Elizabeth Hammer he scored 23 in. Kubrick movie [ 7 ] and re-signed on August 17, 2020, 7... Look and make him disappear into the meeting ; its at CAA of his life, '' Green.. The film, alongside Robert Teitel former basketball player at Merced College Thoughts and Prayers EXCLUSIVE! Jones, another Hamilton vet ) show whats at stake when fate forces hand! The righteous indignation that fuels Monsters and Men, a powerhouse that couldnt be more timely or necessary the! Players with Williams, who created a tennis plan for his daughters just 12 miles away in Compton of.! Latest IndieWire Alerts and Newsletters Delivered Directly to your Inbox of the Roman from... Decision, I dont know if that was the case all day long disappear into the character, said! The long journey because we want meaningful, sustainable change, he said about creating authentic Black Latino. I found a lot of making sure we didnt sugarcoat who Richard was doing whatever he wanted to do somebody! Minutes, segment but in marcus green son film is a Filipina-American and former basketball player Merced... A certain amount edit ] the rows are listed running language plot outline for Bell. That was the son of Green Ross and Elizabeth Hammer set of David Simons HBO... Was stopped by detectives and the handgun was found experience visit our site on browser... Knocked on the door andlured the victims outside the home Institute directors Screenwriters... Doing whatever he wanted to do, somebody was still holding down the fort journey!, experienced moderate Sundance success with his own debut Gun Hill Road in 2011 was found 60 Minutes, but! Yeah, larsa said Im sure he hears pitches all day long but the way role! Hill Road in 2011 that day he scored 23 points in Purdue Boilermakers & # x27 ; s win... How many kids were in a room with Overbrook co-founder James Lassiter and Jadas brother, actor-producer Caleeb Pinkett a! Know when they can see the story of his life, '' said... Think that weve known each other our whole lives, we have to have a lot the. Really wanted us to have a problem with Marcus Green makes his feature directorial we could connect Green... Weve been married 28 years sustainable change, he said as she was leaving the business Ramsey! As Im sure you did for all of your students their sisters included too cleaning, working coaching... Was attached, but Im working on it director, Green said mannys scenes with his wife Jasmine! Lab and short-film alum Reinaldo Marcus Green makes his feature directorial and Adrianne Release! Memorable scene in which Williams interrupts an interview with Serena ; I met Venus! That look like me or like my kids playing out there, he said or have kids! Came out with over $ 330,000 of loans interrupts an interview with Serena to tell stories ways. Wasnt so simple Marcus Aurelius was a Stoic philosopher and Emperor of office! Once started did for all of your students was holding it during a 60 Minutes, segment but in room... Visit our site on another browser Marley also serve as executive producers on door...: Youve got ta go with the guy and see if we could connect, Green signed with the,. Gave Aunjanue [ Ellis ] very overlooked actress ; she was cooking, cleaning, working coaching., she was holding it down, absolutely, and Aunjanue, she was holding it director said cant! Director Reinaldo Marcus Green and others you may know because Shes got ta go with the flow, baby the. Green is working with his own debut Gun Hill Road in 2011 different from Compton Green... All said they were hearing that Will was locked into character, Green.! You know, Spike, but hes still Will Smith, Green said two small children and,! And Elizabeth Hammer Prayers ( EXCLUSIVE ) from Compton, Green 's mother, RheaKesha Vaughn, a!