The Best Man franchise exploded onto the scene back in 1999 and became an instant classic to not only moviegoers but Black audiences.
Of course, all things must come to an end. The Best Man: The Final Chapters saw its conclusion roll out on the streaming network, Peacock. Not only were surprises in store for each character but so storyline expansion.
Fans saw the “glow up” with the character Shelby (Melissa Da Sousa) steal the scenes alongside Quinten (Terrence Howard). However, Lance Sullivan’s (Morris Chestnut) showed the aftermath of moving on after losing his, Mia (Monica Calhoun). Did we mention he had a bit of “promiscuous stage?”
Chestnut acknowledged how the franchise was integral to him becoming a leading man in film and television, per 360 Baseline.
When asked about how the movies influenced his life, the Like Mike alum said,
“Professionally, it changed my life because film studios began to see me as a leading man. So, I was able to land a few lead roles. It’s been a blessing to be a part of the series because it’s been around for so long, and people’s lives have been parallel to the characters as they navigate their lives.”
He added,
“I’m happy [director] Malcolm [D. Lee] selected me to fulfill the role.”
Chestnut has been acting since the 90s to which he became a heartthrob to many women after playing the iconic role of Ricky Baker in the late John Singleton’s film, Boyz N The Hood.
Other roles followed such as The Inkwell, Higher Learning, Two Can Play That Game, The Perfect Guy and countless others.
He even returned to the small screen in FOX’s Rosewood and Our Kind Of People. No less, the 54-year-old actor will forever be cemented with the role of the fictional starting running back of the New York Giants.
Though Chestnut plays a believable aging NFL player working to find a new purpose, he sees himself in the character and being stable in his personal relationships,
“There’s quite a bit of synergy between Morris and Lance. I have to draw in certain things from Morris to put into Lance, but I can say they are similar. “
He continued,
“At this point, Lance and Harper dealt with so much from the first film to the challenges they endured in the sequel. For both men to push beyond those speed bumps in their friendship, I don’t think anything will stop them from remaining friends.”
The actor, who recently celebrated his birthday on Jan. 1, says he’s not one for New Year commitments,
“I don’t have a New Year’s resolution, and here’s why: There hasn’t been a resolution I remembered or stuck with from a previous year. The things I think are essential to my life, I try to maintain them throughout the whole year.”
The show is currently streaming on Peacock with all eight episodes available for binging.
