Blair Underwood recently experienced a moment of disbelief when confronted with the passage of time regarding one of his most memorable cinematic projects. During a guest appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, the accomplished actor learned that Set It Off, the groundbreaking 1996 heist thriller, is approaching its 30th anniversary this year. The revelation prompted Underwood to share candid insights about his initial reluctance to join the production—a hesitation rooted in the complex racial dynamics and representation debates that dominated Hollywood during that era.
The film, which premiered in November 1996, emerged as both a critical darling and commercial success, generating over $41 million in box office revenue against a modest $9 million production budget, according to Box Office Mojo. Underwood portrayed Keith Weston in the movie, which centered on four Black women—played by Jada Pinkett, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise—who turn to bank robbery as a desperate solution to escape systemic poverty and support their families.
Initial Hesitation Amid Industry-Wide Concerns
Underwood's uncertainty about accepting the role stemmed from a larger, more profound conversation circulating throughout the entertainment industry at the time. The early-to-mid 1990s witnessed the release of influential but controversial films such as Boyz n the Hood and Menace II Society, which sparked intense debate about the types of narratives Hollywood was willing to produce featuring Black actors and communities.
"There was a lot of conversation in Hollywood about, 'Why does Hollywood allow us to do only gang-banging and hurting each other and shooting each other?'" Underwood explained during the interview. This sentiment reflected growing frustration within the Black creative community about the prevalence of stereotypical and limiting roles that reinforced negative perceptions rather than showcasing the full spectrum of Black experiences.
The script for Set It Off was circulating through industry circles during this contentious period, and it wasn't immune to criticism. Some industry insiders and observers dismissively labeled the project as "Girlz in the Hood", a reductive moniker suggesting it would merely replicate violent, inner-city narratives with female protagonists instead of male ones.
A Deeper Narrative Emerges
Despite these preliminary judgments, Underwood ultimately recognized the project's true potential. "But it turned out to be so much deeper and so much better than that, and I'm honored to be a part of that," he reflected. The actor's participation contributed to a film that subverted expectations and delivered a nuanced exploration of friendship, systemic failure, and economic desperation.
Rather than glorifying crime or violence, the film presented its characters' decisions as tragic consequences of societal neglect and limited opportunities. Each woman possessed distinct motivations, backstories, and personalities that resonated with audiences who saw their struggles reflected on screen with unprecedented authenticity for a mainstream Hollywood production featuring Black women in lead roles.
Behind-the-Scenes Commitment to Authenticity
The film's success resulted from deliberate creative choices and commitment to authenticity. Vivica A. Fox, reflecting on the production in 2020, celebrated how the cast "made history together." She specifically praised director F. Gary Gray's meticulous approach to storytelling and his determination to ensure the narrative remained believable.
Fox recalled Gray's professional rigor during filming: "He was so professional... we were throwing out pages, and rewriting it and making things work because he didn't want us to be laughed at." This dedication meant scenes were constantly refined to maintain credibility and emotional truth, preventing the story from devolving into caricature or exploitation.
The impact was evident in audience reactions. "People literally walked out of the theater from Set It Off in tears and moved and went back to see it again," Fox noted. This powerful response demonstrated the film had created empathy for characters whose choices existed in moral gray areas, challenging viewers to consider systemic pressures that drive ordinary people to extraordinary measures.
Cultural Impact and Enduring Legacy
Set It Off arrived at a pivotal moment, contributing to a gradual shift in how Black stories could be told in mainstream film. While movies like Boyz n the Hood opened doors for Black filmmakers, they also created a narrow template that risked becoming a new stereotype. Set It Off expanded the conversation by placing Black women at the center of a genre traditionally dominated by male characters and by treating their experiences with complexity and respect.
The film's commercial performance proved audiences craved these stories. Its $41 million gross sent a clear message to studio executives that films centered on Black women's experiences could be profitable. This financial success helped pave the way for future projects that diversified stories about Black communities and demonstrated the commercial viability of authentic representation.
Underwood's Career Perspective
For Underwood, the experience represents a career milestone that he nearly missed. His admission that he "almost didn't do it, but I'm glad I did" speaks to the delicate balance actors must strike when evaluating roles that exist within broader societal contexts. The decision required weighing legitimate concerns about representation against the potential to contribute to a project that might challenge prevailing narratives.
The actor's participation in Set It Off ultimately aligned with a career defined by thoughtful role selection and commitment to projects that resonate beyond mere entertainment. His portrayal of Keith Weston added depth to the film's exploration of relationships and moral complexity, contributing to a story that refused simple categorization.
The 30-Year Milestone
As the film approaches its 30th anniversary, its relevance hasn't diminished. Contemporary conversations about representation in Hollywood continue to echo the debates of the mid-1990s, even as progress has been made. The success of recent films featuring diverse casts owes a debt to pioneering projects like Set It Off that demonstrated both artistic and commercial viability of stories centering Black experiences without reducing them to stereotypes.
The anniversary provides an opportunity to reassess the film's place in cinematic history and recognize its role in expanding boundaries of what Black-led films could achieve. It stands as a testament to the importance of looking beyond initial impressions and industry gossip to recognize potential for meaningful storytelling that challenges audiences while entertaining them.
Continuing Conversations About Representation
The dialogue that surrounded Set It Off's production remains pertinent today. Questions about who gets to tell Black stories, what narratives receive studio backing, and how to balance authentic representation with artistic freedom continue to shape industry discussions. Underwood's retrospective honesty highlights the ongoing complexity of these issues and the importance of critically examining the roles actors accept.
The film's legacy extends beyond its immediate impact, influencing subsequent generations of filmmakers and performers who seek to create work that is both commercially successful and culturally significant. It demonstrated that audiences would embrace stories about Black women that were bold, unapologetic, and complex—characters who were neither perfect heroes nor simple villains, but fully realized human beings navigating impossible circumstances.
Conclusion
Blair Underwood's reflections offer valuable insight into decision-making processes actors navigate when considering roles that intersect with cultural conversations. His initial hesitation, followed by participation in a film that exceeded expectations, illustrates the balance between artistic caution and creative risk-taking.
As Set It Off approaches its 30th anniversary, it remains a powerful example of what happens when filmmakers commit to authentic storytelling that respects both its characters and audience. The film's enduring relevance serves as a reminder that conversations about representation and stereotyping from 1996 remain critically important today, even as the industry continues to evolve and expand possibilities for telling diverse stories.