Power Book IV: Force's Joseph Sikora talks new series, Tom Brady comparison and more (Exclusive)
The wait is officially over. The much-needed next chapter in the ‘Power Universe’ has arrived with Joseph Sikora a.k.a. Tommy Egan’s ‘Power Book IV: Force’ spin-off series officially launching today. Attack The Culture had the most amazing opportunity to chop it up with everyone’s favorite on-screen bad boy to talk about continuing the ‘Power’ franchise forward with a taste of his hometown of Chicago, Hollywood veterans and newcomers uniting and putting together a show built for a long run.
There’s endless epic moments in this conversation you can’t help but embrace. Without further ado, allow the legendary Mr. Sikora dish on STARZ’s latest takeover from the minds of executives 50 Cent and Courtney Kemp.
I don’t know if you’ve had this comparison yet but despite being a Giants head I see you sort of as a Tom Brady figure in this position that you’re in in the sense you’re a veteran at this, you’ve been doing this for a very long time as Drake would say, but man, you’ve got the youngsters of Anthony Fleming and Lucien [Cambric] and Isaac Keys who did little parts and then you have veterans like Tommy [Flanagan] and Lili [Simmons] and Gabrielle [Ryan] all together in what seems like it’s going to be a championship run - who knows, more and more seasons, talk about the excitement of just having all that pressure on your back and then flexing with it.
Joseph: I think you hit the nail on the head. There’s so much less pressure because the ensemble is so strong. Everybody is incredible. Kris Lofton is an amazing actor - of course Isaac Keys as you mentioned, we have some Chicago veteran theater actors who are amazing too - Anthony Fleming III - we have a really tight ensemble and that takes a lot of the pressure off of me and gives me the chance to just play.
I have to ask you, who has impressed you the most? I know you’re like a father figure and you love everyone but there’s so much new, raw talent out there. Has it been some of the veterans, some of the newbies, Anthony’s a close friend of yours, getting him that spotlight, who’s been kind of blowing you away a little bit?
Joseph: Yo man, you did your research and I really appreciate that. You know who blew me away? I’m going to give you two actors. One old head and one young boy. Tommy Flanagan is unbelievable. He’s just a true force of nature and I always love and tell Tommy, ‘I never know what’s going to come out of your mouth. I don’t think you know what’s going to come out of your mouth.’ It’s the line but you don’t know how the cadence is going to go, what little isms he’s going to add into the line. He’s truly a phenomenal actor and a pleasure to be around.
And then Ahmad Ferguson in the show. He’s a young boy in the show and you will see him alongside D-Macs, he’s D-Macs’ partner and Ahmad is just super in the pocket. Chicago native. It’s a pleasure to have this young fellow and he’s really stepping it up.
For you being there since day one, seeing this evolution. Some people thought ‘Oh wow, after six seasons it’s over.’ But these spin-offs have not only been successful but they’ve been thoroughly embraced from social media to just the diehard fans and now to finally get this, man, we finally get the Tommy show. Just kind of sitting back and getting this amazing evolution, just ending it on that question. Your overall take and sky’s the limit?
Joseph: Yeah, sky is the limit. I can remember the first day, the first shot that we ever did of the ‘Power’ show was me and JR Ramirez who played Julio who has gone on to do huge things. It was great. We were pulling up on Woodside, Queens and we had just met Dominic Colon and the Tainos and doing that, playing the dominos in the backyard. That was the first shot of the series and I can still remember that like it was yesterday, like no time has gone on. It’s hard to imagine that it’s been eight years since we did that first scene.
It’s been incredible. I’m looking forward to it. Giving the fans what they want. I also think that shows there’s more to Tommy to discover. I loved just going deeper into the character and finding out more about him in a different city and to truly become the ‘Power’ universe I think we had to leave New York. And what better way to leave New York than the person who’s whole identity is New York City? Tommy Egan.
Check out the full interview below and look out for new episodes of ‘Power Book IV: Force’ Sundays on STARZ.
If you love to nerd out on dope imagery, check out a few snapshots from the ‘Power Book IV: Force’ series featuring Joseph Sikora’s Tommy Egan.