[BlackTree TV - Los Angeles] Naja Hill talks to Taraji Henson and Cedric Entertainer about being up to task to join the cast of this film who was written and directed by fellow actor Tom Hanks. Memorable characters such as Larry’s lottery- winning neighbors Lamar and B'Ella, who host a daily yard sale on the cul-de-sac, punctuate the irreverence of the story. Admittedly, the opportunity to work with Hanks and Roberts sparked Cedric the Entertainer's interest in the project, but the wisecracking character of Lamar is what fully captured his attention. He states, "Lamar is a really funny cat. He runs a daily yard sale as a business after winning the lottery. He didn't move when he won the big money. He stayed in his neighbor- hood and is officially the big man on the block." As Larry's close friends, Lamar and B'Ella have front-row seats to observe the changes in Larry's world. They watch with initial dismay, and then cautious delight, as Larry starts a new chapter in his life. The actors, who have known one another for years, looked forward to working together again and easily fell into the rhythms of a long-married couple. Hanks' interactions with his cast as a director and leading man blended on set. Each of the cast can cite instances in which they were working with Hanks and the actor forgot their director was not just a fellow cast member. That is, until Hanks would yell "cut" after a take and run to the video monitor to check out what had been shot. Sums Henson: "He trusts his actors. It gives us all a lot of freedom, which is very rare." ___________ A BlackTree Media Production Segment Journalist Naja Hill Segment Producer Mason Richards for more info log onto: