Actor and rapper Ice Cube, whose real name is O’Shea Jackson Sr., has dropped out of an upcoming comedy because he refused to comply with a vaccine mandate, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Ice Cube was set to star alongside Jack Black in Oh Hell No, but bailed on the $9 million payday when producers asked him to get vaccinated.
Neither Ice Cube nor his representatives have made public statements on the matter.
THR provides context:
Throughout the pandemic, Ice Cube has promoted mask wearing. In August, Bacone College in Oklahoma thanked the star and others for a donation of 2,000 face masks to use as personal protective equipment. In April 2020, amid COVID-19 lockdowns, he unveiled “Check Yo Self Before You Wreck Yo Self” branded T-shirts, featuring the star in a mask, in partnership with the manufacturer Black Out, with proceeds to benefit frontline health workers.
THR adds:
Sony’s Oh Hell No is the second project that Ice Cube has left in recent months. The rapper-turned-actor was to have co-starred in boxing movie Flint Strong but is no longer involved. It’s unclear what circumstances prompted the departure.