“I’ve always had the opportunity to act, being in LA…but the problem is, I’m always playing Lisa Leslie. To have an opportunity to play a character like Betty Lou, that’s not me…but I love the opportunity to be her.”
.@LisaLeslie signs off from NYC! 🏙️
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 6, 2018
Watch the former WNBA MVP take the big screen as Betty Lou in the new comedy Uncle Drew on June 29th! 🎬🍿 #WatchMeWork pic.twitter.com/N7JKswKDdl
Leslie will be alongside fellow basketball greats such as Kyrie Irving, Shaquille O’Neal, Nate Robinson, Reggie Miller and Chris Webber, in Uncle Drew, [SPOILER ALERT!] the story of Dax (Lil Rel Howery) spending his entire life savings entering his team in the Rucker Classic street ball tournament in Harlem, only to endure hardships which lead him to losing the team. He then meets Uncle Drew (Kyrie Irving), who pushes him to return to the game he loves.
Off-camera, when the cast wasn’t debating whether the earth is flat or round, a conversation inevitable when Irving is present, they underwent extensive makeup and prosthetic transformation. Though she claimed her real-life persona mirrors more of a “Lucille Ball,” Leslie detailed her enjoyment of playing the role of Betty Lou. She described her character as “feisty” 70 year old woman with a personality unlike hers.
The cast chemistry was another positive Leslie referenced. “Nate [Robinson] is just a comedian. He’s like the Kevin Hart of basketball.” As if Robinson’s hilarity weren’t enough, the [all-]star-studded cast is accompanied by known comedians Lil Rel, Tiffany Haddish and Nick Kroll.
Uncle Drew premiers on June 29, 2018.