Ice Cube had to back out of a multimillion-dollar film deal because he refused to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
During a new episode of the “Million Dollaz Worth of Game” podcast on Monday, the “Straight Outta Compton” rapper, 53, discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic affected his career and finances.
He claimed that his refusal to get vaccinated cost him a $9 million paycheck.
He claimed, Variety reported:
“I turned down a movie because I didn’t want to get the motherf–king jab. I turned down $9 million. I didn’t want to get the jab. F–k that jab. F–k ya’ll for trying to make me get it. I don’t know how Hollywood feels about me right now.”
His confession appeared to confirm reports that he was dropped from Sony’s comedy “Oh Hell No,” directed by “Bad Trip” filmmaker Kitao Sakurai and starring Jack Black, due to the vaccine requirement, which surfaced in October 2021.
According to reports, the film’s producers required all cast members to be vaccinated in order to participate in the production. They were planning to shoot in Hawaii during the winter at the time.
Cube later clarified in the interview that he “didn’t turn down” a film because he refused to comply with the COVID-19 vaccine requirement.
Instead, he claimed:
“Those motherf–kers didn’t give it to me because I wouldn’t get the shot. I didn’t turn it down. They just wouldn’t give it to me. The COVID shot, the jab…I didn’t need it. I didn’t catch that s–t at all. Nothing. F–k them. I didn’t need that s–t.”
One of the podcast hosts suggested Cube leave Hollywood for streaming during Monday’s episode.
The actor replied:
“That’s Hollywood thought. They’re on some s–t. But me too, I’m on some s–t too.”
Cube stated that he is willing to leave Hollywood and confirmed that he is working on an independent project.
Cube added:
“I’m hustling. Got a lot of things up my sleeve.”
Several other celebrities were fired or left projects due to their anti-vaccination views during the pandemic. At least two “General Hospital” actors left the show after refusing to comply with the show’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Ingo Rademacher, who had played Jasper “Jax” Jacks on the daytime medical drama since 1996, was fired in November 2021 after posting a transphobic meme and anti-vax sentiment on social media.
In the same month, Steve Burton, who had played Jason Morgan on and off since 1991, left the show due to the production’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement.
Burton stated in a video posted on Instagram:
“I wanted you to hear it from me personally. Unfortunately, ‘General Hospital’ has let me go because of the vaccine mandate.”
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