 |
|
50 Cent billboards taken down |
|
|
 |
Paramount Pictures is removing billboards promoting an upcoming film by rapper 50 Cent after community leaders complained the signs promoted gun violence near schools. 50 Cent says the controversy over billboards is helping promote the film "Get Rich or Die Tryin."'
"I do appreciate it," the rapper told Reuters in an interview on Friday. "They are talking about it on media outlets I didn't have plans to market the movie to. They are helping me out."
"I understand people had picket signs protesting, saying my poster is violent because they see a gun," 50 Cent said.
But he added: "They've seen a gun in tons of film advertising. If we walk into our local Blockbuster or place where we can rent a video, we'll see every kind of gun they manufacture on the cover of these films as a marketing tool.
"Some of these people just have an overall outlook on me that's negative," said 50 Cent, who was once shot nine times.
A studio spokesperson said on Friday that Paramount was evaluating the locations of the billboards and taking some down.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich sent a letter on Wednesday to Paramount's president calling for the immediate removal of the billboards.
"The billboard conveys to students a disturbing message actively promoting gun violence, criminal behaviour and gang affiliation," Antonovich wrote.
The R-rated film is due to open November 9. It stars the rap artist, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, in a biographical story about a drug dealer who abandons crime to pursue a music career.
|
