Undercover Brother (2002)

The super-smooth operative known as Undercover Brother - UB for short - was born on a fledgling internet site two years ago and is the first character created on the net to become the hero of a major feature film. Oscar-winning producer Brian Grazer discovered Undercover Brother early on and was quickly convinced of the funky crime fighter's potential to make the leap to the big screen.

"I loved the idea of generating a film in a fresh, creatively resourceful way, and breaking from traditional sources of material such as blockbuster novels, television series and comic book characters," Grazer explained.

"Undercover Brother is a great concept for a film," director Malcolm D. Lee affirmed. "It's fresh, funny and exciting. My job is to do it justice."

When Urban Entertainment was founded by producer Michael Jenkinson in 1999, the company put the word out to African American filmmakers that it was looking for short films or animation series for its website. Novelist and screenwriter John Ridley was intrigued. He conceived and wrote the satirical series about a top operative working at a secret organization dedicated to ensuring equality for all ... and an instant cult favorite sprang to life.

Then Damon Lee, president of Urban Entertainment, invited director Malcolm d. Lee to create an animated series for the site. Malcolm decided to visit the web-site before making a commitment.

"I saw the first five episodes of Undercover Brother and they are hysterically funny,"" the director recalled. "Damon mentioned that Universal had bought the rights and I knew right then that this was something I wanted to be involved in."

Comic actor Eddie Griffin was everyone's first choice to play the unconventional head character. "There's nobody better for the role of Undercover Brother," the director continued. "Eddie is physical, he's got great movement and he's funny. He's also very knowledgeable about the 70's and the whole super funk vibe. People are going to be surprised by Eddie. I don't think there are many actors out there who could pull off a blow-out Afro and pork chop sideburns the way he does."

Already a fan of the web series, Griffin was down for more than big hair and a flashy wardrobe. "Undercover Brother is a blue collar hero," said the actor. "He's trying to equal the playing field, and give more people a chance at the opportunity in life."

Since Undercover Brother prides himself on masterfully ingenious disguises, Griffin morphs into several different characters, ranging from an 85-year-old janitor to a dread-locked Rastafarian caddie. Not to mention buttoned-up and button-down corporate yes-man Anton Jackson. "Eddie rose to the occasion and dazzled us with all the characters that just came out of the hat," said executive producer Bill Carraro.

"He couldn't be Undercover Brother unless he went undercover," reasoned Griffin.

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