Redeem now - "Friday After Next" originally had a sexual assault scene, according to comedian Katt Williams.
- Williams said that his character, Money Mike, was meant to be assaulted in the script.
- The "Atlanta" actor asked for the scene to be cut because "rape is never funny."
Comedian Katt Williams said he had a sexual assault scene removed from the 2002 movie "Friday After Next."
This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in.Williams, who is best known as a stand-up comedian, made his first movie appearance in the "Friday" sequel, playing a pimp named Money Mike.
According to Williams, when he first auditioned for the role, the script contained a scene in which Mike was assaulted in a bathroom.
Speaking on the "Club Shay Shay" podcast on Wednesday, Williams said he spoke out against the scene after being cast in the role.
"Katt Williams had to take the risk in front of the studios and the cast and the power that be in his very first movie, and say, 'Respectfully, humbly, guys, if we're talking about anything else, I have no credibility and I have no pull. But we're talking about comedy where I have all the credibility and all the pull,'" Williams recalled.
He continued: "The problem with 'Friday After Next' is we're trying to make a classic comedy, and this comedy involves a rape, and rape is never funny, no matter who it happens to, or what the circumstances are."
Williams — whose character ended up being one of the most memorable parts of the movie — said he promised to create an even funnier scene if the assault was removed.
Williams also addressed claims that he took the role of Money Mike from another comedian.
Rickey Smiley, who plays the robber Santa Claus in the 2002 movie, said on the "Pierre's Panic Room" podcast in 2022 that he was supposed to play Money Mike, and Williams was supposed to play the burglar.
"Somebody and Ice Cube decided to switch it up," Smiley said.
However, speaking on the "Club Shay Shay" podcast," Williams said he only auditioned to play Money Mike.
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