Baron Davis’ future in film
Baron Davis is an unpredictable man. So unpredictable in fact that when the Jungle Book 2 shows up listed in the filmography of his IMDB profile, it prompts little suspicion.
Over the past half decade, in addition to his work running offenses in the NBA, Davis has emerged as a promising young film maker and producer, even acting occasionally on television and in viral video hits online.
Given the breadth of his experience and passion for the industry, voice acting work for the sequel to the Disney classic back in 2003 doesn’t seem entirely out of character. Unfortunately, the attribution appears in err – as confirmed by the man himself.
Despite an apparent shared name with Baron Davis the Voice Actor, Baron Davis the Producer has every intention of immersing himself in film and standing out in the industry on his own merit – not that he doesn’t stand apart already.
Though unrelated, you wouldn’t blame the average movie buff if they saw the credit roll at the end of the Jungle Book and just assumed the two men were the same. After all, the variety of the films in which the basketball-playing Davis has been involved range from 2010’s The Pool Boys – a raunchy teen comedy in which Tom Arnold plays himself – to Crips and Bloods: Made in America – an award-winning documentary detailing the gang-related struggles of life in South Los Angeles.
It’s been the latter, obviously, that’s given Davis more clout in the industry.
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“I went to a private school and as a kid from south central I needed a way to express my emotions and get my emotions outside gravitating towards the arts,” Davis told The Good Point. “Basketball was like a way of life and I needed another outlet.”
Though he had grown up exposed to the film scene at a private school in Los Angeles, and later UCLA, it wasn’t until he established himself as a star in the NBA when he could pursue opportunities in the movie industry in his spare time. In 2004 Davis, along with Elton Brand, appeared in The Cookout, portraying himself.
In the years since, Davis has stayed involved, producing projects, making appearances on television and brainstorming new films that speak to human values.
“It’s something that I definitely want to pursue and I know that I can do well in it,” Davis said. “It’s something that I love doing in my spare time. When I’m relaxing I like to write.”
Until then, Davis will continue honing his craft as a veteran point guard in the NBA.
After coming over from the Los Angeles Clippers in the middle of the season, Davis has embraced his role as a leader of a young Cleveland Cavaliers team in a period of transition.
Over the span of his 12-year NBA career, Davis’ role as a professional basketball player has varied similarly to that of his involvement in film. Early in his career, before the New Orleans Hornets ever left Charlotte, Davis was an inspirational young point guard with unquestionable hops and an alleged feud with head coach Byron Scott.
Now, once again coached by the same man in Cleveland, Davis’ career has come full circle. Along the way, the 6’3″ point guard aided a franchise through relocation in 2002, served as the face of a record-breaking Golden State Warriors team in 2007 and established himself as a never-ending highlight reel with unparalleled on-court style throughout.
In the film industry, Davis hopes to take advantage of the opportunity his celebrity status has allowed him, citing his love for the arts and his vision as his most appealing traits when it comes to producing quality projects.
“[Having an NBA name] gets you into the meeting, but once you’re in the meeting you have to be able to close the deal,” said Davis. “Once people hear me inside the room and hear my passion and creativity they tend to look at me totally different.”
Though it’s unclear what exactly Davis has on the horizon, he’ll invariably come up with something big. When he does, it won’t be the first time he’s risen to the occasion in dramatic fashion – just ask Andrei Kirilenko.
With the city of Cleveland still celebrating from their recent good fortune in the NBA Draft Lottery – and point guard Kyrie Irving projected to go with the No. 1 pick that the team inherited along with Davis part way through 2010-11 – Davis will find himself a veteran now more than ever.
The mentor’s role will be a new one for Davis, whose resume on and off the court is loaded with varied experiences. Fortunately for film fans, it certainly won’t be the last.
Now all we need is someone to write a screenplay for Jungle Book 3.
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