Music

Ice Cube will play rapping pickpocket in Oliver Twist musical

by Richard Howard

Right around 2004, the world was understandably weirded out when Ice Cube, one of the hardest rappers of all time, decided to diversify his acting roles by starring in the sickly-sweet family comedy Are We There Yet? In fact, our collective psyche was so damaged by seeing the guy who gave us Amerikkka’s Most Wanted providing Rob Schneider-esque faux-comedy that “I can’t believe Ice Cube does kids movies now” was a common lament (despite the fact he really hasn’t done any since other than that same movie’s putrid sequel). That is, until now. Ladies and gentlemen, Ice Cube is returning to the world of kid’s movies, and how: the rapper will be taking on the role of pickpocket ringleader Fagin in a Disney adaption of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist.

Just on the surface, it sounds a bit wonky, right? Oh, just you wait till you hear the rest, buddy. You may be thinking this might be a reboot of the 1968 musical Oliver!, which was based on a stage show of the same name. No – this is a modern update for the modern age, which means Ice Cube, who’s also co-writing it, will be rapping in the movie.

Even weirder is the consideration that his character, Fagin, is often referred to simply as “The Jew,” which, given Ice Cube’s early diss tracks, makes for an interesting… Twist.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of people’s views maturing as they do – but the irony is delicious. Also, for those of us that might think Ice Cube’s just trying to grab easy cash, it seems probable that Cube just really loves the work of Charles Dickens. Although there haven’t been any updates, last year it was announced that the rapper would be starring in an adaption of another beloved classic – a version of Christmas Carol called Humbug.