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Mike Epps has a pivotal role in the remake of the movie “Sparkle” due out this Friday. He plays Satin Struthers, a gangster in the original film, who’s been remade into a comedian this time. But this doesn’t mean Epps is any less menacing. His Struthers is a comic who’s become embittered by his lack of respect in his own community. Epps’ role isn’t the comic relief – he’s once again playing a dramatic role as he did in “Jumping the Broom.”

Struthers is still the catalyst of the downfall of a girl group, this time set in 1960’s Detroit. But just like the original movie, which starred Lonette McKee and Irene Cara when it came out in 1976, Jordin Sparks, Tika Sumpter and Carmen Ejogo plays sisters who form a girl group in spite of the watchful and disapproving eye of their mother, played by Whitney Houston in her last film role.

Epps told EURweb.com that he was a little too immersed in his character.

“I haven’t always told jokes,” Epps said.  “I’m from Indiana, you type my name up ‘Michael Elliot Epps,’ and see that I’ve been to the Department of Corrections and I’ve been on drugs and I have slapped a couple bi–es before in my life … you know but I have been through some things before in my life and I was casted for that role because I think the Lord felt like I could handle that role.  And now that I’m an older person, I’m married, I got kids, my life has changed, I been blessed all of that stuff is behind me.”

Despite the seriousness of his last film roles, Epps hasn’t given up his day job. He’s on tour through the fall on his “I’m Still Standing” tour.  Here are some of his upcoming dates:

August 17-19       Denver, CO        Improv

August 25             Atlanta, GA        Georgia State University              

August 30            Tampa, FL           University of South Florida

August  31- Sep. 2  Columbia, SC Comedy House               

September 8      San Diego           Civic Center       

September 14   Wichita, KS         The Cotillion      

September 15     Omaha, NE        Orpheum Theater

October 5            Lafayette, LA    Heymann Performing Arts Center

October 8            Miami, FL            Florida International University

October 12          Augusta, GA      James Brown Arena       

October 13          Chattanooga, TN             Memorial Auditorium

For more dates and tickets click here: http://mikeepps.com/tour/

Watch the trailer for “Sparkle” here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBXGhbpMMrw

Mike Epps talks about working with Whitney Houston on “The Talk.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGDuWBwzga0