Sterling K. Brown and Brian Tyree Henry: Dystopian future of 'Hotel Artemis' could 'definitely happen'
Hotel Artemis, the new science-fiction action thriller that is thankfully not based on a comic book or old movie, but rather a completely original idea from writer-director Drew Pearce, is set in Los Angeles in 2028.
In this dystopian tale, Southern California is tottering on the brink, beset by devastating drought and income equality so punishing that the region’s denizens are rioting. The story rings true, because, well, it isn’t far from reality. The Golden State continues to struggle with its water needs and the distribution of wealth is getting worse, not just in Los Angeles but in the world at large.
When Hotel Artemis stars Sterling K. Brown and Brian Tyree Henry stopped by Yahoo Entertainment’s Los Angeles studios, we asked them if they felt their movie was a “darkest timeline” future for our country.
“It’s in the not-too distance, it’s only 2028. And L.A. has been going through a bit of a drought for a while. To see the divide in wealth and stature here, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer … it does seem like something that could definitely happen. I think that’s why [director Drew Pearce] made it that way, to put in a dystopian future that could possibly be what’s going to happen.”
While Hotel Artemis does feature a city falling apart, Brown pointed to one positive prediction the movie has for our future: diversity. Joining Brown and Henry in prominent roles for people of color were Guardians of the Galaxy tough man Dave Bautista and Star Trek: Beyond heroine Sofia Boutella.
“We were cast in the roles that we got points to the natural diversity that is Los Angeles,” Brown noted. “Twenty years ago, everybody in this flick would have more than likely been white, so it’s cool to have faces on the poster.”
Henry added that, in his youth, he would always hope for characters like Brown’s character in Hotel Artemis.
“We hunger for those images,” agreed Brown. “You see the Supermans and the Batmans, and [think], Wouldn’t it be cool if there’s a brother doing that type of thing?’”
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