Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Talon of God
WORK NOTES: with Ray Norman
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE: 7/31/1962
WEBSITE:
CITY:
STATE:
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
https://www.harpercollins.com/cr-125612/wesley-snipes * https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2017/07/24/wesley-snipes-fights-evil-his-pen-exciting-talon-god/499017001/ * http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000648/bio
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born July 31, 1962, in Orlando, FL; son of Wesley Rudolph and Maryann Snipes; married April Dubois, 1985 (divorced, 1990), married Nakyung “Nikki” Park, 2003; children: five.
EDUCATION:Attended the State University of New York at Purchase and Southwest College, Los Angeles, CA.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Actor, film producer, entrepreneur, and writer. Amen-Ra Films (a film and television production company) and Black Dot Media (its subsidiary), founder. Royal Guard of Amen-Ra (a security and bodyguard company), cofounder, late 1990s.
Actor in more than seventy films, including Wildcats, 1986; Streets of Gold, 1987; Mo’ Better Blues, 1990; New Jack City, 1991; Jungle Fever, 1991; White Men Can’t Jump, 1992; Waterdance, 1992; Passenger 57, 1992; Demolition Man, 1993; Sugar Hill, 1994; Waiting to Exhale, 1995; To Wong Foo; Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar, 1995; Blade, 1998; Blade II, 2002; Blade: Trinity, 2004; Brooklyn’s Finest, 2009; Gallowwalkers, 2012; The Expendables 3, 2014; and Armed Response, 2017.
Actor in television shows, including Miami Vice, Vietnam War Story, A Man Callled Halk, The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, and The Bernie Mac Show.
Martial arts (holds a 5th dan black belt in Shotokan karate and a 2nd dan black belt in hapkido.
AWARDS:Best Actor Volpi Cup, Venice Film Festival, 1997; Image Award, Outstanding lead actor in a television movie or mini-series, for America’s Dream; CableACE Award, best actor in a dramatic series, for Vietnam War Story; received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Honorary doctorate from State University of New York Purchase.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Wesley snipes is a well-known actor, film producer, and action film star. He has appeared in more than seventy films and had major or lead roles in films such as Passenger 57, Demolition Man, New Jack City, Jungle Fever, White Men Can’t Jump, and Waiting to Exhale. In To Wong Fu, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar, Snipes played a character that was definitely against type: Noxeema Jackson, a drag queen.
Snipes played the title character of Blade in a trilogy of movies featuring that Marvel Comics character, a half-vampire, half-human who becomes a vampire hunter and protects the human race against these creatures of the night. In an interview with Dan Schawbel in Forbes, Snipes stated, “I truly enjoyed playing the character of Blade as I felt he was a complicated, passion-driven and deeply introspective individual caught between two worlds—one light, the other dark—who was on a mission for good, yet was consumed with finding the meaning of his own existence in a world fraught with danger, intrigue and uncertainty.”
Snipes is an entrepreneur, the cofounder of the film and television production company Amen-Ra Films and its subsidiary Black Dot Media. He was also the cofounder of the Royal Guard of Amen-Ra, a security and bodyguard company that provided elite protection services for celebrities and other high-end clients.
In addition to his work in film, Snipes is also a noted martial artist who has trained in multiple fighting styles since the age of twelve, earning distinctions such as a fifth-degree black belt in Shotokan karate and a second-degree black belt in hapkido. Because of his experience in martial arts, he often serves as fight coordinator on films.
With Talon of God, Snipes adds novelist to his list of accomplishments. The novel, written with Ray Norman, is an action-based story very much in line with Snipes’s roles in Blade and other high-energy films. It is also a very spiritual story, boosted by a war between literal angels and demons unfolding on the streets of Chicago.
The novel’s protagonist, Lauryn Jefferson, is the daughter of a minister. She has become and doctor and devoted her life to medicine rather than pursuing a religious life. When she is attacked in the emergency room one night, she realizes that the troubled veteran who assaulted her is under the influence of a drug that transforms humans into supernatural monsters. She is saved by the mysterious Talon Hunter, a sword-wielding super-powered protector who is a messenger of God. Teaming up with her ex-boyfriend, police officer Will Tannenbaum, Lauryn joins Talon in a search for those responsible for turning people into monsters in anticipation of a city-wide demon possession. At the same time, Lauryn seems to have a higher calling that she will ascend to, with Talon’s help.
Wesley Baines, writing on the website Beliefnet, commented: “Talon of God is a fun, snappy read that doesn’t shy away from the darkness. Snipes’ story is one that effortlessly weaves spirituality into action and adventure that anyone can enjoy, regardless of belief. This isn’t ‘Christian fiction.’ It’s fiction that draws from Christianity to tell an awesome story, bringing readers face-to-face with terrifying evil.”
In Kirkus Reviews, a writer called Talon of God a “entertaining thriller with enough swordplay, religious prophecy, and demonic threats to entertain readers across lots of different genres.” The authors “bring a cinematic flair to the proceedings,” observed a Publishers Weekly writer. A reviewer in USA Today remarked, “Old-school fans of Passenger 57 and Demolition Man will appreciate that Snipes has just as much punch with a keyboard as with his fists, and the realm of urban fantasy has an impressive new disciple.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Forbes, November 27, 2017, Dan Schawbel, “Wesley Snipes: How He Built a Career as an Actor, Entrepreneur, and Novelist,” interview with Wesley Snipes.
Kirkus Reviews, May 15, 2017, review of Talon of God.
National Post, August 3, 2017, “Q&A: Wesley Snipes on How Blade Films Influenced His Debut Novel Talon of God.“
Publishers Weekly, May 8, 2017, review of Talon of God, p. 42.
USA Today, July 25, 2017, “Snipes Fights Evil with a Pen in Talon of God,” review of Talon of God, p. 03D.
ONLINE
Beliefnet, http://www.beliefnet.com/ (February 19, 2018), Wesley Baines, “The Faith and Fiction of Wesley Snipes,” interview with Wesley Snipes and Ray Norman.
Christian Post, http://www.christianpost.com/ (July 27, 2017), Jeannie Law, “Wesley Snipes Writes Spiritual Thriller Talon of God on Demons Influencing People’s Behavior.”
Deadline, http://www.deadline.com/ (December 8, 2016), Greg Evans, “Wesley Snipes’s Debut Novel Lands at HarperCollins Imprint for 2017,” profile of Wesley Snipes.
Talon of God Website, http://www.talonofgod.com (February 19, 2018).
USA Today Online, https://www.usatoday.com (July 24, 2017), Brian Truitt, “Wesley Snipes Fights Evil with His Pen in Talon of God,” review of Talon of God.
Wesley Snipes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wesley Snipes
Wesleysnipes cropped 2009.jpg
Snipes in September 2009 at the 66th Venice International Film Festival
Born Wesley Trent Snipes
July 31, 1962 (age 55)
Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Occupation Actor, film producer, martial artist, author
Years active 1986–present
Spouse(s) April Dubois (m. 1985–90)
Nikki Park (m. 2003)
Children 5
Wesley Trent Snipes (born July 31, 1962) is an American actor, film producer, martial artist and author.[1]
His prominent film roles include New Jack City (1991), White Men Can't Jump (1992) and the Marvel Comics character Blade in the Blade film trilogy (1998–2004). He formed a production company, Amen-Ra Films, in 1991, and a subsidiary, Black Dot Media, to develop projects for film and television. He has been training in martial arts since the age of 12, earning a 5th dan black belt in Shotokan Karate and 2nd dan black belt in Hapkido.[2]
Contents [hide]
1 Early life
2 Career
2.1 Acting
2.2 Other ventures
3 Personal life
4 Income tax conviction
5 Filmography
5.1 Film
5.2 Television
5.3 Stage
5.4 Publications
6 Awards and nominations
7 References
8 External links
Early life[edit]
Snipes was born in Orlando, Florida, the son of Maryann (née Long), a teacher's assistant, and Wesley Rudolph Snipes, an aircraft engineer.[3][4] He grew up in the Bronx, New York. He attended the High School of Performing Arts of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts but moved back to Florida before he could graduate. After graduating from Jones High School in Orlando, Snipes returned to New York and attended the State University of New York at Purchase. He also attended Southwest College in Los Angeles, California.
Career[edit]
Acting[edit]
Snipes signing autographs at Comic Con International in 2010
At the age of 23, Snipes was discovered by an agent while performing in a competition. He made his film debut in the 1986 Goldie Hawn vehicle Wildcats. Later that year, he appeared on the TV show Miami Vice as a drug-dealing pimp in the episode "Streetwise" (first aired December 5, 1986). In 1987, he appeared as Michael Jackson's nemesis in the Martin Scorsese–directed music video "Bad" and the feature film Streets of Gold. That same year, Snipes was also considered for the role of Geordi La Forge in the TV series Star Trek: The Next Generation, but the role eventually went to LeVar Burton.[5]
Snipes' performance in the music video "Bad" caught the eye of director Spike Lee. Snipes turned down a small role in Lee's Do the Right Thing for the larger part of Willie Mays Hayes in Major League, beginning a succession of box-office hits for Snipes. Lee would later cast Snipes as the jazz saxophonist Shadow Henderson in Mo' Better Blues and as the lead in the interracial romance drama Jungle Fever. He then played Thomas Flanagan in King of New York opposite Christopher Walken. He played the drug lord Nino Brown in New Jack City, which was written specifically for him by Barry Michael Cooper. He also played a drug dealer in the 1994 film Sugar Hill.
Snipes has played a number of roles in action films like Passenger 57, Demolition Man (with Sylvester Stallone), Money Train, The Fan, U.S. Marshals and Rising Sun, as well as comedies like White Men Can't Jump, and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar where he played a drag queen. Snipes has appeared in dramas like The Waterdance and Disappearing Acts.[6]
In 1997, he won the Best Actor Volpi Cup at the 54th Venice Film Festival for his performance in New Line Cinema's One Night Stand. In 1998, Snipes had his largest commercial success with Blade, which has grossed over $150 million worldwide. The film turned into a series. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and an honorary doctorate in humanities and fine arts from his alma mater, SUNY/Purchase.[7] In 2005, Snipes sued New Line Cinema, and David S. Goyer, director of Blade: Trinity, which Snipes also produced. He claimed that the studio did not pay his full salary, that he was intentionally cut out of casting decisions, and that his character's screen time was reduced in favor of co-stars Ryan Reynolds and Jessica Biel. The suit was later settled, but no details were released.[8] He has discussed reprising the role of Blade as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it was his last theatrical release film until 2009.[9]
Snipes with Ethan Hawke during the 66th Venice International Film Festival.
He later appeared in The Contractor, filmed in Bulgaria and the UK, Gallowwalkers, released in 2012, and Game Of Death. Snipes was originally slated to play one of the four leads in Spike Lee's 2008 war film Miracle at St. Anna but had to leave the film due to tax problems; his role eventually went to Derek Luke.[10]
Snipes in 2014, at the French premiere of The Expendables 3.
Snipes made a comeback performance in Brooklyn's Finest as Casanova "Caz" Phillips, a supporting character, it was his first theatrical release film since 2004. He also had to turn down the part of Hale Caesar in The Expendables because he was not allowed to leave the United States without the court's approval.[11] In 2014, he appeared in the sequel The Expendables 3.
Other ventures[edit]
In the late 1990s, Snipes and his brother started a security firm called the Royal Guard of Amen-Ra, dedicated to providing VIPs with bodyguards trained in law enforcement and martial arts. Amen-Ra is also the name of his film company. In 1996, the first film produced by Amen-Ra was A Great And Mighty Walk – Dr. John Henrik Clarke.[12]
In 2000, the business was investigated for alleged ties to the United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors. It emerged that Snipes had spotted 200 acres (0.81 km2) of land near their Tama-Re compound in Putnam County, Georgia, intending to buy and use it for his business academy. Both Snipes' business and the groups used Egyptian motifs as their symbols.[12] Ultimately, Snipes and his brother did not buy the land, instead establishing their company in Florida, Antigua, and Africa.[12]
In 2005, Snipes was in negotiations to fight Fear Factor host Joe Rogan.[13]
Personal life[edit]
Snipes with wife Nikki Park in 2009.
Snipes began training in martial arts when he was 12 years old. He has a 5th degree black belt in Shotokan karate and a 2nd degree black belt in Hapkido. He has also trained in Capoeira[2] under Mestre Jelon Vieira and in a number of other disciplines including kung fu at the USA Shaolin Temple[14] and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Kickboxing.[citation needed] During his time in New York, Snipes was trained in fighting by his friend and mentor Brooke Ellis.[dead link][15]
Snipes has been married twice, first to April Snipes, with whom he has a son Jelani, who had a cameo role in Snipes' 1990 film Mo' Better Blues. In 2003, Snipes married painter Nakyung "Nikki" Park, with whom he has four children.[16]
Snipes, who was raised a Christian, converted to Islam in 1978, but left Islam in 1988. During a 1991 interview, Snipes said "Islam made me more conscious of what African people have accomplished, of my self-worth, and gave me some self-dignity".[17]
Snipes' apartment was destroyed by the collapse of the World Trade Center's Twin Towers during the September 11 attacks. He was on the West Coast at the time.[15]
Income tax conviction[edit]
On October 12, 2006, Snipes, Eddie Ray Kahn, and Douglas P. Rosile were charged with one count of conspiring to defraud the United States and one count of knowingly making or aiding and abetting the making of a false and fraudulent claim for payment against the United States. Snipes was also charged with six counts of willfully failing to file federal income tax returns by their filing dates.[18] The conspiracy charge against Snipes alleged that he filed a false amended return, including a false tax refund claim of over $4 million for the year 1996, and a false amended return, including a false tax refund claim of over US$7.3 million for the year 1997. The government alleged that Snipes attempted to obtain fraudulent tax refunds using a tax protester theory called the "861 argument" (essentially, an argument that the domestic income of U.S. citizens and residents is not taxable). The government also charged that Snipes sent three worthless, fictitious "bills of exchange" for $14 million to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).[19]
The government also charged that Snipes failed to file tax returns for the years 1999 through 2004. Snipes responded to his indictment in a letter on December 4, 2006, declaring himself to be "a non-resident alien" of the United States; in reality, Snipes is a birthright U.S. citizen.[20] Snipes said he was being made an example of and was unfairly targeted by prosecutors because of his fame in connection with the federal tax fraud investigation.[citation needed]
On February 1, 2008, Snipes was acquitted on the felony count of conspiracy to defraud the government and on the felony count of filing a false claim with the government. He was, however, found guilty on three misdemeanor counts of failing to file federal income tax returns (and acquitted on three other "failure to file" charges). His co-defendants, Douglas P. Rosile and Eddie Ray Kahn, were convicted on the conspiracy and false claim charges in connection with the income tax refund claims filed for Snipes.[21][22]
On April 24, 2008, Snipes was sentenced to three years in prison for willful failure to file federal income tax returns under 26 U.S.C. § 7203.[23][24][25] Kahn was sentenced to 10 years in prison and Rosile was sentenced to four and half years in prison.[26] The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed Snipes's convictions in a 35-page decision issued on July 16, 2010.[27][28][29] Snipes reported to federal prison on December 9, 2010 to begin his three-year sentence,[30][31] and was held at McKean Federal Correctional Institution, a federal prison in Pennsylvania.[32] On June 6, 2011, the United States Supreme Court declined to hear Snipes' appeal.[33][34][35] Snipes was released from federal prison on April 2, 2013,[36] finishing his period of house arrest on July 19, 2013.[36][37]
Filmography[edit]
Film[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1986 Wildcats Trumaine
1986 Streets of Gold Roland Jenkins
1987 Critical Condition Ambulance Driver
1987 Bad Mini Max Short film
1989 Major League "Willie Mays" Hayes
1990 Mo' Better Blues Shadow Handerson
1990 King of New York Thomas Flanigan
1991 New Jack City Nino Brown Nominated – MTV Movie Award for Best Villain
1991 Jungle Fever Flipper "Flip" Purify
1992 The Waterdance Raymond Hill
1992 White Men Can't Jump Sidney "Syd" Deane
1992 Passenger 57 John Cutter
1993 Boiling Point Jimmy Mercer
1993 Rising Sun Lt. Webster "Web" Smith
1993 Demolition Man Simon Phoenix Nominated – MTV Movie Award for Best Villain
1994 Sugar Hill Roemello Skugs
1994 Drop Zone Pete Nessip
1995 To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar Noxeema Jackson
1995 Money Train John Powell
1995 Waiting to Exhale James Wheeler Uncredited
1996 The Fan Bobby "Bob" Rayburn
1997 Murder at 1600 Detective Harlan Regis
1997 One Night Stand Maximilian "Max" Carlyle Volpi Cup for Best Actor
1998 Jackie Chan: My Story Himself Documentary
1998 U.S. Marshals Mark J. Sheridan / Mark Warren / Mark Roberts
1998 Blade Eric Brooks / Blade Also fight choreographer and producer
1998 Down in the Delta Will Sinclair Also executive producer
1998 Masters of the Martial Arts Himself Documentary
1999 Play It to the Bone Ringside Fan #2 Cameo
2000 The Art of War Neil Shaw
2002 Blade II Eric Brooks / Blade Also fight choreographer and producer
2002 Liberty Stands Still Joe
2002 ZigZag David "Dave" Fletcher
2002 Undisputed Monroe "Undisputed" Hutchens Also producer
2004 Unstoppable Dean Cage
2004 Blade: Trinity Eric Brooks / Blade Also producer
2005 7 Seconds Jack Tulliver Direct-to-DVD
2005 The Marksman Painter Direct-to-DVD
2005 Chaos Jason York
Scott Curtis
Lorenz Direct-to-DVD
2006 The Detonator Sonni Griffith Direct-to-DVD
2006 Hard Luck Lucky Direct-to-DVD
2007 The Contractor James Jackson Dial Direct-to-DVD
2008 The Art of War II: Betrayal Neil Shaw Direct-to-DVD
2009 Brooklyn's Finest Casanova "Caz" Phillips Black Reel Award for Best Supporting Actor
2010 Game of Death Agent Marcus Jones Direct-to-DVD
2012 Gallowwalkers Aman Direct-to-DVD
2014 The Expendables 3 Doctor Death
2015 Chi-Raq Cyclops
2017 Armed Response Isaac
2017 The Recall The Hunter
Television[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1986 Miami Vice Silk Episode: "Streetwise"
1987 Vietnam War Story Young Soldier Episode: "An Old Ghost Walks the Earth"
1989 A Man Called Hawk Nicholas Murdock Episode: "Choice of Chance"
1989 The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd Hood Episode: "Here's Why You Should Always Make Your Bed in the Morning"
1990 H.E.L.P. Lou Barton 6 episodes
1996 America's Dream George Du Vail Television film
1997 Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child The Pied Piper (voice) Episode: "The Pied Piper"
1998 Futuresport Obike Fixx Television film
2000 Disappearing Acts Franklin Swift Television film; also producer
2003 The Bernie Mac Show Duke Episode: "Rope-a-Dope"
2015 The Player Mr. Johnson 9 episodes
Stage[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1986 Execution of Justice Sister Boom Boom Broadway
Publications[edit]
Year Title Genre Other
2017 Talon of God[1] Religious Sci-Fi & Fantasy Written with Ray Norman
Awards and nominations[edit]
Award Category Title Result
MTV Movie Awards Best Fight Blade Nominated
MTV Movie Awards Best Villain Demolition Man Nominated
MTV Movie Awards Best Screen Duo White Men Can't Jump Nominated
MTV Movie Awards Best Villain New Jack City Nominated
MTV Movie Awards Best Kiss White Men Can't Jump Nominated
Venice Film Festival Best Actor (Volpi Cup) One Night Stand Won
Hollywood Walk of Fame 7020 Hollywood Blvd Himself
Independent Spirit Awards Best Supporting Actor The Waterdance Nominated
Image Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Television Movie or Mini-Series America's Dream Won
Image Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture New Jack City Won
CableACE Awards Best Actor in a Dramatic Series Vietnam War Story Won
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Favorite Duo – Action/Adventure U.S. Marshals Nominated
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Favorite Actor – Horror Blade Won
Black Reel Awards Best Actor (Motion Picture) Undisputed Nominated
Black Reel Awards Network/Cable – Best Actor Disappearing Acts Nominated
References
NOV 26, 2017 @ 08:51 PM 3,659 The Little Black Book of Billionaire Secrets
Wesley Snipes: How He Built A Career As An Actor, Entrepreneur And Novelist
Dan Schawbel , CONTRIBUTOR
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
Wesley SnipesWesley Snipes
Wesley Snipes
I spoke to Wesley Snipes, a movie star, entrepreneur and the co-author of Talon of God, about his inspiration for the book, how he's stayed relevant in the entertainment business, how his acting career helped him be a better entrepreneur, Spike Lee's influence on his career and his best advice.
With over 70 films to his acting credit and 18 as a producer, Dr. Snipes has a unique diversity that has made him one of the most beloved and sought out talents for the past 30 years. In addition to his presence in Hollywood, he is also an entrepreneur, including the creation of the innovative "Project Action Star," a social media and television project which is forthcoming. A skilled practitioner of numerous martial arts disciplines, he has taken the physical expertise he honed choreographing fights scenes in movies like Blade and his vivid imagination to write his new action-packed novel.
Dan Schawbel: How did your famous Blade movies inspire you to write Talon of God? What messages are you trying to convey in the book?
Wesley Snipes: I truly enjoyed playing the character of Blade as I felt he was a complicated, passion-driven and deeply introspective individual caught between two worlds – one light, the other dark – who was on a mission for good, yet was consumed with finding the meaning of his own existence in a world fraught with danger, intrigue and uncertainty. In that sense, with respect to the passionate quest to find one’s purpose and destiny in life, I share a lot in common with the character Blade. As I embraced the character, I realized that I too often pondered the questions of “Why me?”, “What path should I follow in life?”, and “Do I have a higher calling?”
My introspection and search for an answer to those questions was pivotal in my development of the novel Talon of God. I felt that the tremendous success of the Marvel Studios franchise Blade was indicative of the audience truly connecting with the complicated title character and his adventures, and as such, I felt very encouraged and motivated to develop my own warrior-hero character in the person of Talon Hunter, who is one of the lead characters in my novel.
Blade is known for living the warrior’s code of conduct – bushido, if you will – and applying his superior martial arts and fighting skills in the epic battle of good versus evil; human versus vampire. In a similar sense, the character of Talon in my novel also follows the warrior’s code of conduct in his battles against demonic and satanic forces seeking to create hell on Earth.
In terms of messages that I wanted to convey in the book, I think that one of the most important messages is that through faith and determination not to give up, all things are possible. Even though Talon, and his partner Lauryn Jefferson, the other hero in the Talon of God story, face seemingly impossible odds – fighting the very forces of hell themselves – they never lose faith in their own abilities, nor lose faith in the Most High’s divine protection of them through the greatest of challenges.
We often face difficulties and obstacles in life that may seem insurmountable. I would like for people to read Talon of God and come away with the feeling of the warrior within, and know without a shadow of a doubt, that they can overcome whatever challenges they are facing and emerge victorious.
Schawbel: How have you stayed relevant in the entertainment industry over the past three decades? What were some of your early struggles breaking into the business as an actor and what are your recommendations for aspiring actors?
Snipes: Well, to tell you the truth, I consider it a real honor to still be considered relevant in the entertainment industry after having had a career that spans over three decades. I appreciate having loyal fans that span a couple of generations, and I think that I have managed to stay relevant because of my versatility; by keeping my head to the ground and watching the work and trends of other artists. I read, I watch, I listen and then I get off my butt and “do”. I readily embrace the unglamorous, unappreciated, and unappealing work that needs to be done when quality matters. I dig deep to always seek to give my best performance, just like the repertory players I was raised with who were masters of versatility, had tremendous swag and knew that was the name of the game.
With respect to some of the early struggles I had breaking into the business there were no known film actors in my neighborhood or anywhere in my community. Dancers YES!! Stage and film actors... none that I knew. Why would I ever think I could be or would be an exception? Faith is a powerful substance and I had plenty of it. Even against seemingly impossible odds. I was very fortunate to get the early roles I did, and they didn’t come easily. But as the old saying goes, with faith, "It be done work in ya favor widoutcha’ be knowin’ it."
My advice to aspiring actors is to constantly work on your craft. Expose yourself to as many different types of roles and characters as you can. Become an actor with a universal range and appeal. Select roles and characters that you are proud to represent and participate in projects that you consider honorable as well as entertaining.
Schawbel: What have you learned as an actor that helped you become a better entrepreneur and what did you learn as an entrepreneur that made you a better actor? Are there synergies between both?
Snipes: Synergies? Yes. To be an exceptional actor one has to be well studied, emotionally flexible and steadfast. To be a successful entrepreneur, you must have imagination, courage, and a database of talents along with skilled individuals you can tap into. You need a ‘tool kit’ comprising the right assortment of tools suited for the occasion.
To be a successful actor and entrepreneur requires imagination and courage; the absence of the fear of being different. To quote the gifted axiom, “To whom much is given, much more than you thought is required!”
Schawbel: What influence did Spike Lee have on your film career and what lessons did you learn from him as you were moving up the ranks in the industry?
Snipes: Working with Spike introduced me to the concept of entrepreneurship. That the possibilities of aspiring to and becoming a “gifted artist” are not limited simply to the “art form” itself. They include business development and economic empowerment initiatives that actually contribute to more than just one’s ego. One should embrace charity and be a valuable contribution to humanity. Seek to enlighten as well as entertain. Entrepreneurship can actually save lives and inspire change.
Schawbel: What are your top three pieces of career advice?
Snipes: Actually, I have five pieces of career advice to offer:
1. The journey is a marathon not a sprint.
2. Liberate yourself from of the shackles of fear.
3. There is a “tick” for every “tock”, and so be on time when the Light hits your “spot”. Be prepared. Your time is coming.
4. Apprentice under masters of the craft. Roll with the winners. Pray with the pastors and hang with the “heavy hitters”. Let them feed you education and inspiration. These are the life-vest you'll need to get through rough waters.
5. Trust your “god-gut”, but verify it's not filled with a bunch of bull-crap.
With more than seventy films to his acting credit and eighteen as a producer, Dr. Wesley Snipes has a unique diversity that has made him one of the most internationally beloved and sought-out talents of the past thirty years. In addition to his presence in Hollywood, he is also a digital tech entrepreneur, including his creation of the innovative Project Action Star television project, which was launched on the first social media global broadcast network. A master practitioner of numerous martial arts disciplines, Dr. Snipes has drawn on the physical expertise he honed choreographing fight scenes in movies like Blade, and his vivid imagination, to write the action-packed Talon of God, his first novel.
Wesley Snipes’ Debut Novel Lands At HarperCollins Imprint For 2017
by Greg Evans
December 8, 2016 3:31pm
Wesley Snipes is adding author to his résumé: The Blade actor’s first novel, a supernatural thriller called Talon of God, has landed at HarperCollins’ imprint Harper Voyager. The book, co-authored with Ray Norman, will be published in July.
RelatedWesley Snipes Gets In On Action With WWE Studios Deal
The novel’s lead characters are Lauren Jefferson, a young doctor who becomes embroiled in an apocalyptic battle between the forces of heaven and hell, and Talon Hunter, a spirit warrior.
Snipes described the premise to Deadline: “There are spiritual warriors that inhabit this planet who are here to help balance out the evil forces, and they are always looking for the next apprentice. And when they find the next apprentice to train — the next heir apparent — then they can move on to the higher realms.” The reluctant Lauren is chosen.
“The lead character Lauren is a very spiritual person,” Snipes said. “A spiritual woman, and her father is a minister who is put to the challenge. Lauren has been chosen to be a Holy Warrior here on Earth. She’s a doctor; her father is a Baptist minister.”
Snipes said he and Norman developed the book with the intention of an eventual screen adaptation. “Without a doubt,” Snipes said, adding he specifically wrote a strong female lead “to bridge the gap in terms of equality of action content for women.” Snipes said the book has “an urban element, a hip-hop element, supernatural elements.”
The actor said he’s been working on the book with Norman for two years, and that the two met after contemplating an earlier project together. Norman is a first-time novelist who has ghost-written books on health, nutrition and spiritual self-help.
Asked about the role of faith in the book, Snipes said, “There are spiritual questions. Are there demonic forces in the world that manipulate us into doing things that are not in our best interests or into accepting conditions that are not in our best interests? The human mind is pretty intriguing, why we do some of the things we do.”
Snipes compared the tone of the novel to films The Devil’s Advocate, Constantine “and little bits of Blade thrown in there.”
Harper Voyager, the fantasy/sci-fi imprint of HarperCollins, will publish the novel July 25. Harper Voyager Executive Editor David Pomerico acquired North American rights to the book. Peter McGuigan of Foundry Literary + Media represents the project.
Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy
The Faith and Fiction of Wesley Snipes
We talk with veteran actor Wesley Snipes about his new urban fantasy novel, "Talon of God."
By Wesley Baines
Veteran actor Wesley Snipes is a spiritual warrior, and he has translated this lifestyle into his hard-hitting, debut urban fantasy novel, “Talon of God.”
Snipes, in a creative collaboration with ghostwriter and first-time novelist, Ray Norman, tells the tale of Lauryn Jefferson, a skeptical young doctor who finds herself caught in a battle between the forces of Heaven and Hell in the claustrophobic urban jungle of Chicago. When Lauryn, the estranged daughter of a Baptist preacher, encounters a homeless man that has been transformed into a demonic creature, her worldview begins to shatter, and her life is put at risk.
Fortunately, a familiar figure arrives to save the day, gleaming sword in hand.
Fans of Snipes’ Blade films will find much to love here. The entry of Talon Hunter, a “middle-aged, dark-skinned man” wielding a sword with a blade “like molten silver” brings to mind the titular half-vampire hero of the beloved 1998 film and its sequels. Together, he and Lauryn embark on a journey to save Chicago—and the world—from mass demonic possession.
"If we're not compelled to gain a deeper understanding of good and evil, how can we make the world a better place?"
But unlike the Blade films, “Talon of God” is infused with Snipes’ spiritual worldview, and the power of Christian faith is one of the main themes throughout the narrative. Snipes deals with tough questions concerning the problem of evil, the sovereignty of God, and the existence of free will, but never veers into peachiness or monologues.
Far from it—“Talon of God” is a fun, snappy read that doesn’t shy away from the darkness. Snipes’ story is one that effortlessly weaves spirituality into action and adventure that anyone can enjoy, regardless of belief. This isn’t “Christian fiction." It’s fiction that draws from Christianity to tell an awesome story, bringing readers face-to-face with terrifying evil.
This is not only entertaining—it's useful. After all, as Christian horror director Scott Derrickson once said in an interview with Christianity Today, “If we're not compelled to gain a deeper understanding of good and evil, how can we make the world a better place?”
We caught up with Dr. Snipes and Mr. Norman to talk about what inspired their debut novel, what the collaborative process looked like, and how the life experiences of a beloved action star became a supernatural thriller.
"Could you talk about what inspired 'Talon of God?'"
Snipes: “I would say the inspiration was twofold. One: the search for purpose in one’s life, and to address the question of ‘Are our destinies predetermined, or do we have free will?’ And the other was to create something that had a spiritual tone to it—a spiritual warrior—that began this particular search. That’s not the story of this particular book, but that’s part of the inspiration.
And then when me and Norman hooked up, it began to be clear that we shared similar sensibilities, a similar quest for our understanding of spirituality, and the relationship between man and God and purpose of life. And therein began the process.
And we looked forward to the opportunity of creating something that we could turn into a very cool action film later on.”
"Mr. Norman, what did the collaborative process between you and Dr. Snipes look like?"
Norman: “Well, it was a pretty even-handed collaboration. We would exchange ideas and concepts that we had, and kind of work out how the characters would respond under different circumstances and kind of go from there.
Like I said, it was a very collaborative process, and something that we worked on for the better part of two years. We wanted to make sure that all the characters were well-developed, and that he story was compelling.”
"Did the two of you do any research for “The Talon of God,” and did anything from that research personally interest you?"
Norman: “I think that, especially given Wesley’s deep, profound spirituality, and all of the different spiritual teachers and masters that he has met over the years—you know that really contributed greatly to enhancing the spiritual concepts of the book.
And I think I was able to bring in, along with Dr. Snipes’ [contributions], some action and adventure. So when you combine the depth of knowledge that Dr. Snipes had, with some of the storytelling that I had done in the past, I think we worked really well together.”
"How did your own spiritual journey affect the development of this book?"
Snipes: “I don’t put an end to it at this point—I think I’m still on it. The fact that I’m even in this business, coming from the humble beginnings that I come from, is a testament to divine intervention, as far as I’m concerned.
And also, how do you get to this position? How do you get in these situations—the good ones, or the ones that are considered bad, or not so good? Are your actions of your own volition, or have you been influenced by other things and other people—other forces—that make you do things that you really wouldn’t do?
All of these questions have been a part of my spiritual journey. You can’t get out of acting school without addressing some of these kinds of questions: ‘Why did he do that? What was the character’s motivation?’
Norman: “I think one of the interesting things about the book is that you’re not only just seeing the human side of the drama, but we’re able to kind of pull back the curtain, and you’re able to see the activity taking place in the unseen spiritual world—the battles from the angelic and demonic forces, and the types of influences that unseen forces might have on our lives.”
Snipes: “If I could add one thing to it, I think you will agree that sometimes you see shadows out of the corner of your eye. Sometimes, at night, you see something moving past you. You thought you saw it, but it really wasn’t there.
Maybe it was.”
"You handled the supernatural in a very fascinating and entertaining way."
Norman: “And we brought the streets of Chicago into it.”
"That’s a great combination."
Snipes: “And a rare combination. You don"t often see the amalgamation of that urban world with the faith-based or supernatural or spiritual type of content.
We’re at an interesting time now where I think, generally speaking, you’ll find a lot of people asking: “What the heck is going on?” The paradigm has shifted in so many places and so many areas. The comfort zones people once had are no longer there. The blankets that they used to have to comfort themselves are no longer comforting. They have been pulled off.
Are there other forces involved in this?”
"Besides just being a great read, what’s the most important thing you’d like readers to take away from 'Talon of God?'"
Snipes: “Clearly, the enjoyment and take the ride of adventure. But I would like people to come away with a re-affirmation and a new confidence in the power of faith—in the power of having faith. Being steadfast in the face of adversity. “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength,” as it said.
I would love for them to get that—don’t give up. Stay steadfast. Stay true. Keep the faith. The more you work it and cultivate it, the stronger it gets—the more formidable it gets. And it will be there to serve you and protect you. It’s not just an idea. It helps you.”
Norman: “Absolutely. Through faith, all things are possible. To tell you the truth, I couldn’t have summed it up better than Dr. Snipes just did. I mean, we really want them to know that the faith walk is real, the battle is real, but if you’re able to stand steadfast in your faith, you can overcome any obstacle in your path.”
Faith and Fantasy
For those who believe in the supernatural world of spiritual warfare, it can be frustrating that there’s no way to tangibly fight the forces of darkness—a fist or a blade has no effect on the realm of soul and spirit.
But that’s a large part of the appeal of “Talon of God”—readers get to vicariously participate in the battle against supernatural evil, having a little fun along the way.
And even for those readers who don’t concern themselves with spiritual principles, Snipes’ novel pulls from Christian myth and legend to create a well-structured, epic conflict that’s sure to engross fans of action and urban fantasy.
Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/christianity/the-faith-and-fiction-of-wesley-snipes.aspx?p=2#i65jmYLkC3s6qJ5Y.99
Wesley Snipes Writes Spiritual Thriller 'Talon of God' on Demons Influencing People's Behavior
Share On Facebook Share On Twitter
By Jeannie Law , Christian Post Reporter | Jul 27, 2017 11:07 AM
Video Player
Play VideoGolden Globe Nominees: The Biggest Surprises and Snubs
Expand | Collapse
(PHOTO: REUTERS/MARIO ANZUONI)
Actor Wesley Snipes plays the lead role in the new series
Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes, who's known for his roles in movies such as "White Men Can't Jump" and "Blade," has added a new title to his resume as an author with his debut spiritual thriller, Talon of God.
With more than 70 films under his belt, including 18 as a producer, Snipes says he felt the need to express himself differently by writing a novel. The storyline follows a spirit warrior named Talon who must "convince a doctor to help him stop a powerful demon from creating hell on Earth."
During an interview on "CBS This Morning," Snipes, 54, described the journey that led him to this point.
"What a journey," he said. "I've got a whole lot of respect for writers. It's a little bit more disciplined. It's a little more isolated. You don't get the same kind of flexibility with writing characters and writing scene shots and all of these things in the script like you do with the book."
FREE SIGN UP CP NEWSLETTER!
Sign up
RELATED
Jim Carrey Preaches Grace of Jesus to Former Inmates: 'Suffering Leads to Salvation' (Video)
Actor Dennis Quaid on Faith-Based Film 'I Can Only Imagine': Shows Power of Changed Heart (Video)
Hollywood Actor-Comedian Jay Mohr to Atheists Who Criticize His Faith: Why Are We Arguing?
Snipes said he wrote the novel as a way to challenge himself as a "scholar, healer and a soldier (martial artists)."
He called the writing, "Another opportunity to express the divine in me."
While penning the novel, Snipes said he "grappled with the questions, 'Why do we do the things we do? What makes us do the things we do? Why do we do things that we really don't want to do?'"
"Maybe there are forces that are playing on us," he said. "Maybe there are forces that are influencing us and our behavior — soul demons, soul vampires that get us into trouble."
Snipes emphasized that he feels "blessed to have this opportunity to take this journey" and admits that he's "grown from it" and has "become more clear on what my potential is."
Q&A: Wesley Snipes on how 'Blade' films influenced his debut novel 'Talon of God
Actor Wesley Snipes is shown in a handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-HarperCollins MANDATORY CREDIT
The Canadian Press
The Canadian Press
August 3, 2017
3:25 PM EDT
Last Updated
August 3, 2017
3:25 PM EDT
Filed under
PMN Books
Facebook
Twitter
Reddit
Email
More
TORONTO — The final film in the “Blade” trilogy debuted more than a decade ago, but series star Wesley Snipes wouldn’t rule out a return to the superhero franchise.
“When Marvel is ready, I will be ready,” Snipes said from Los Angeles.
“We want to do it well, we want to do it right. I don’t want to do it just to do it. I want to give the people what they’ve been asking for and more.”
In the meantime, the actor is turning his attention to a trilogy in the literary domain with his debut novel “Talon of God” (Harper Voyager).
Snipes teamed with co-author Ray Norman on the Chicago-set thriller. The urban fantasy centres around Lauryn Jefferson, a young doctor grappling with a baffling crisis: a sulphur-laced drug is transforming individuals into demons. She teams with spiritual warrior Talon Hunter to battle against the forces of evil threatening to take hold.
Snipes spoke with The Canadian Press about the influence of vampire hunter Blade on “Talon of God,” the importance of diversity in storytelling, and his thoughts on remakes.
CP: What was it about the supernatural realm specifically that you wanted to explore?
Snipes: To be really real, there’s always been a lot of interest in the “Blade” world; and I recognized very early on that there’s a great vehicle in the use of good action to communicate other ideas. And I thought: “Wow, it would be great to have something that’s action-packed that people can get into, but then, at the same time, feed them with some of the spiritual substance and raise some of the questions around spirituality that we were grappling with ourselves.”
CP: Lauryn comes from a background of spirituality when you’re looking at her father (a Baptist minister) but she seems to have a greater faith or belief in science. Why did you decide to have her as her lead character?
Snipes: To engage the audience, it would be better to do something that’s a little unpredictable. The first thought of me writing a book that’s action-oriented, one would presume that the protagonist would be male. That, coupled with me recognizing how strong the girl energy is right now, the feminine energy moving through the universe is, and that energy embodied in women of colour just made a lot of sense. It was artistically appealing to have our protagonist be a woman of colour. In this particular world of fantasy and urban fantasy genres it is a rarity to have a character like Lauryn Jefferson.
CP: You see a really diverse slate of characters in their racial, ethnic and religious diversity. Was that a conscious decision?
Snipes: (It’s) a little residue of my personal life, and having interactions with so many different cultures and so many different people around the world. Also, both Ray and I recognize the influence and power of so many great religious and spiritual practices around the world. Cinematically — for me, especially — if we’re trying to reach a broad audience, it makes a lot of sense to make the universe multiracial, multidisciplined, multiethnic.
CP: You describe Talon as this sword-wielding warrior. I couldn’t help but think of the character you portray in “Blade.” Do you see parallels between the two?
Snipes: On a quest to avenge wrong, I see the commonality. That they are both warriors, definitely a commonality. But if there was a fight between Talon and Blade, I’m going with Talon. Talon is with the Almighty. He’s going to hit Blade with some words and a sword and a fist and a bolt of lightning (laughing). I don’t think Blade is ready for that.
The idea that people have had a hunger or appreciation for the “Blade” franchise, and a desire to see more marinating in the back of my head while we’re writing? Yeah, I can say there’s some element of influence there. The way we do action in film is kind of the way I wrote action for the book. I think it would be fun for some of the “Blade” fans to find the parallels and the recurring themes in “Talon of God” that exist in the “Blade” franchise.
CP: There is going to be a reboot of (Snipes’s 1992 comedy) “White Men Can’t Jump.” Are there any other projects or characters that you’ve portrayed that you’d love to be a part of reviving or see reinterpreted?
Snipes: For me, certain things are in the past. I like the idea of pushing my creativity and drawing from a new well. What we did before is great. But like Michael Jackson, he didn’t do the same music every album; and I don’t want Wesley Snipes doing the same movies every year, every decade.
Over the past 30 years, and with the unique experiences from more than 100 films that he has performed and produced, Dr. Wesley Snipes is one of the most beloved and sought out talents in Hollywood. He is also a skilled practitioner and Guru of numerous Martial Arts disciplines. His multi-disciplines have fortunately led Dr. Snipes on many spiritual journeys over culturally diverse spiritualities. His vivid imagination and vision, along with his physical and spiritual knowledge, have provided Dr. Snipes with self-guidance in writing his very first novel – the action packed, Talon of God.
Snipes, Wesley: TALON OF GOD
(May 15, 2017):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Snipes, Wesley TALON OF GOD Harper Voyager (Adult Fiction) $27.99 7, 25 ISBN: 978-0-06-266816-5
A young doctor in Chicago is drawn into a war between heaven and hell, and her destiny lies in the balance.The action in this urban fantasy novel is as cinematic as one would expect from movie star Snipes and co-author Norman. Our heroine is Lauryn Jefferson, the daughter of local minister Maxwell Jefferson and now a dedicated young doctor at Chicago's Mercy Hospital, where one night she's attacked by a troubled veteran who's clearly at the mercy of a supernatural being. Lauryn is saved by the enigmatic Talon Hunter, a Bible-quoting, sword-wielding warrior straight from the pages of a fantasy novel. Also floating around is Will Tannenbaum, a surly vice cop and Lauryn's ex-boyfriend. Will works for a corrupt police chief, Victor Korigan, who is himself the lackey of a shadowy billionaire, Christopher St. Luke. St. Luke's evil scheme is to use a powerful new drug additive, E3X, to prepare the city's addicts for demonic possession and finally to doom the city. Eventually, Talon reveals that he's a member of an ancient sect, the Soldiers of El Elyon, chosen by God to do his will on Earth. It's real fire-and-brimstone stuff, complete with angels and demons, but the authors keep the action lively, and Lauryn makes for a likable, believable hero even in the wake of all the occult conspiracy stuff. A subplot involving Lauryn's rapper brother, Robbie, injects some of the bravado Snipes showed in New Jack City. Readers who dig this sort of thing will appreciate its natural segue into a sequel likely to find Lauryn working as Talon's protege. Cue the training montage. An entertaining thriller with enough swordplay, religious prophecy, and demonic threats to entertain readers across lots of different genres.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Snipes, Wesley: TALON OF GOD." Kirkus Reviews, 15 May 2017. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A491934373/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=cdc70800. Accessed 12 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A491934373
Talon of God
264.19 (May 8, 2017): p42+.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Talon of God
Wesley Snipes and Ray Norman. Harper
Voyager, $27.99 (368p) ISBN 978-0-06-266816-5
In this theological urban fantasy, a young ER physician in Chicago must add faith to reason to prevent all hell from breaking loose. Lauryn Jefferson, daughter of a Baptist minister, chooses to practice medicine rather than preach. When a new drug laced with sulfur turns her patients into demonic monsters, her savior is Talon, a sword-wielding soldier of God astride a motorcycle. As her ex, a Chicago cop, battles the cartel responsible for the demon drug, Lauryn has to redeem first her younger brother and then the rest of Chicago from their personal devils. Debut novelists Snipes (star of the Blade vampire hunter film trilogy) and Norman bring a cinematic flair to the proceedings (including a "giant flying hell fortress"). The overall tone of the book is fundamentalist, but the authors broaden their audience by discreetly avoiding both explicit violence and thorny cultural issues; they do explicitly disparage the subjugation of women as being based on a misinterpretation of the Bible, but no one remarks on African-American Lauryn's relationship with a white police officer. The dialogue turns a bit Sunday school ("Fear is the devil's rope, and he will tie you down if you let him"), but the embrace of mercy and forgiveness towards one's enemies is a welcome act of faith in what otherwise could have been Blade with a Bible. (July)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Talon of God." Publishers Weekly, 8 May 2017, p. 42+. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A491949085/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=fd608bfe. Accessed 12 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A491949085
Snipes fights evil with a pen in 'Talon of God'
(July 25, 2017): Lifestyle: p03D.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/
Got a cloaked warrior fighting evil at night and carrying one seriously epic sword? Naturally, you need Wesley Snipes involved.
Talon of God (Harper Voyager, 368 pp., *** out of four ) isn't a Blade movie and Snipes isn't playing an action-film character. Instead, the actor makes his debut as a novelist with a pretty entertaining supernatural adventure about the war between angels and demons -- literal and metaphorical -- on the streets of Chicago.
Co-written with fellow first-timer Ray Norman, Talon centers on young ER doctor Lauryn Jefferson, recently out of med school, who's become estranged from her strict Baptist preacher dad and rapper younger brother.
After getting off a long shift at the hospital one night, she encounters something surreal: one of her patients, a homeless man, turns into an otherworldly monster. Then the situation doubles down on the weird when a tall stranger on a motorcycle walks into her life and saves the day with old-school weaponry and holy water.
Together with her vice cop ex-boyfriend Will, Lauryn and the stoic protector named Talon unearth a plot to use a sulfur-laced drug additive laced to infect the populace of the Windy City and ready them for a mass demon possession.
Talon reveals himself to be part of an ancient sect of warriors and sees something special in Lauryn -- not to mention that the substance affecting everyone else doesn't work on her -- and her initial skepticism turns to respect as the threat becomes apparent.
Themes of faith abound through the narrative. While not a big talker in general, Talon speaks mostly in Bible verses and lines from the Gospels, and other parts of the Good Book inspire chapter titles. But Snipes is never holier-than-thou, instead weaving Christianity into the plot naturally and making it fascinating rather than sanctimonious. (The author puts a little spin on it, too, naming the book's devilish big bad Christopher St. Luke.)
The religious bent also works well with the aspects of science and procedural storytelling. The green slime that becomes the chemical agent potentially spelling apocalyptic doom for the city fuels some of the more action-packed scenes, and turning drug addiction into a hellish outbreak is extremely effective.
With Lauryn, the novel introduces a female character who's grounded in terms of her family and way of life but also a cool heroine with whom you'll want to spend more time.
Snipes has been in Hollywood long enough to know he should lay track for a sequel. Lauryn acts as a counter to some of Talon's more over-the-top elements.
Old-school fans of Passenger 57 and Demolition Man will appreciate that Snipes has just as much punch with a keyboard as with his fists, and the realm of urban fantasy has an impressive new disciple.
CAPTION(S):
photo Charles Sykes, Invision/AP
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Snipes fights evil with a pen in 'Talon of God'." USA Today, 25 July 2017, p. 03D. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A499308890/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=a3ca6a07. Accessed 12 Jan. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A499308890
Wesley Snipes fights evil with his pen in exciting 'Talon of God'
Brian Truitt, USA TODAY Published 3:00 p.m. ET July 24, 2017 | Updated 3:16 p.m. ET July 24, 2017
636364895435312308-TalonofGod-HC.JPG
(Photo: HarperVoyager)
CONNECT
TWEET
LINKEDIN
COMMENT
EMAIL
MORE
Got a cloaked warrior fighting evil at night and carrying one seriously epic sword? Naturally, you need Wesley Snipes involved.
Talon of God (Harper Voyager, 368 pp., *** out of four stars) isn’t a Blade movie and Snipes isn’t playing an action-film character. Instead, the actor makes his debut as a novelist with a pretty entertaining supernatural adventure about the war between angels and demons — literal and metaphorical — on the streets of Chicago.
Co-written with fellow first-timer Ray Norman, Talon centers on young ER doctor Lauryn Jefferson, recently out of med school, who’s become estranged from her strict Baptist preacher dad and rapper younger brother.
After getting off a long shift at the hospital one night, she encounters something surreal: one of her patients, a homeless man, turns into an otherworldly monster. Then the situation doubles down on the weird when a tall stranger on a motorcycle walks into her life and saves the day with old-school weaponry and holy water.
Together with her vice cop ex-boyfriend Will, Lauryn and the stoic protector named Talon unearth a plot to use a sulfur-laced drug additive laced to infect the populace of the Windy City and ready them for a mass demon possession.
Wesley Snipes turns from acting to novel writing with
Wesley Snipes turns from acting to novel writing with 'Talon of God.' (Photo: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Talon reveals himself to be part of an ancient sect of warriors and sees something special in Lauryn — not to mention that the substance affecting everyone else doesn’t work on her — and her initial skepticism turns to respect as the scale of the threat becomes apparent.
Themes of faith abound through the narrative. While not a big talker in general, Talon speaks mostly in Bible verses and lines from the Gospels, and other parts of the Good Book inspire chapter titles. But Snipes is never holier-than-thou, instead weaving Christianity into the plot naturally and making it fascinating rather than sanctimonious. (The author puts a little spin on it, too, naming the book’s devilish big bad Christopher St. Luke.)
The religious bent also works well with the aspects of science and procedural storytelling. The green slime that becomes the chemical agent potentially spelling apocalyptic doom for the city fuels some of the more action-packed scenes, and turning drug addiction into a hellish outbreak is extremely effective.
With Lauryn, the novel introduces a female character who’s grounded in terms of her family and way of life but also a cool heroine with whom you’ll want to spend more time.
Snipes has been in Hollywood long enough to know he should lay track for a sequel. Lauryn acts as a counter to some of Talon’s more over-the-top elements.
Old-school fans of Passenger 57 and Demolition Man will appreciate that Snipes has just as much punch with a keyboard as with his fists, and the realm of urban fantasy has an impressive new disciple.
LIFE NEWSLETTER
News, reviews, and the juiciest
celebrity gossip for the refined scenester.
Your Email
Sign Me Up