By Samantha Spencer

In the film, Dewey (Chiwetel Ejiofor) says that Petey had the courage to say what he wanted to, but couldn't. What did Petey say that you would?

Cheadle: He embodied the spirit that would be refreshing to me.  People speaking their mind whether or not you agree.  Petey just let you know, so you don't have to wonder.  I always appreciate when people speak their mind, I don't want to have to guess.  That's what drew me in.

Was that the dynamic of the sixties and radio?

Cheadle: I spoke to my family about their take on an era of tumult and controversy.  I think we're "PCing" to our detriment.  The problems of the world come from not being honest. 

What did you do to prepare for this role?

Cheadle: Drink...anything in front of me.  No, the script is the Bible.  Also to read about the person, but read between the lines, get a sense of who this human being was.

There are a lot of people out there that act wild, and say what they want to, what was in Petey that made him different? 

Cheadle: He grew up rough, in jail...He talked his way in and out of problems, you know, he had the gift of gab.  He also liked controversy, he wanted people to talk about him.  He wanted to know what was cutting edge, and be a part of it.

What did you know about Petey going into this project? 

Cheadle: Nothing...there really aren't many recordings of him around.

What do you feel was most compelling about Petey Greene?

Cheadle: He was a LIVE WIRE.  He never knew where he was going.  What he said was steep and dangerous, yet precise.  I mean did you see that YouTube video with the watermelon?  He goes right to it, just blows up the stereotype.

Do you prefer to do films with characters like that?

Cheadle: I like to do characters like Petey, or Basher the friendly criminal or whoever.  I don't have an agenda.  I want to do films that have interesting characters, and have the film entertain.  

Where you set on playing Petey from the beginning?

Cheadle: Actually at one point I was doing Dewey, it was Terrence Howard at one point.  We went through many different interactions.  I first heard about the film 10 years ago.

We've been hearing a lot about Petey, what was up with Dewey?

Cheadle: He had a gift, to recognize something he didn't have, but that he knew the people wanted.  He knew he and Petey didn't want the same things, but he still pushed.

Is Vernell (Taraji P. Henson) real? 

Cheadle: I think Vernell is a composite of all the women he had.

Do you know any women like Vernell?

Cheadle: Taraji...Taraji is the only woman I know like her.  A couple of other people read for the part and I thought… what are you doing? Taraji is it, this girl is off the hook.

What did you learn about Kasi Lemmons?

Cheadle: Kasi is really tenacious, but we knew that because she had extreme faith that it would work.  It was great working with a female who gave perspective to a very male story.  She has a very good eye, and she's very open.

You're really branching out now, tell us about the book.

Cheadle: I always wanted to be hire-able, and learn many different things.  The book is Not on Our Watch.  John and I had hundreds of questions about "what can we do?" and we said we should write a book to answer them.  I didn't think we would actually do it, but...I'm a student, not an expert on activism, or Darfur; I'm learning.  As an actor, I feel fortunate that I could shed so much light.  We just started a foundation, me, George, Matt, Brad, and Weintraub and we've raised $10 million so far.

Is "saving" Darfur just a fad that will pass?

Cheadle: The trick is to get people to focus.  Our government is doing more than a lot of other places.  You have to be strategic and smart if you want to help.  I think we're there in this country, the question is international.  The China-Sudan issue...bringing that to light.  We need to press on them.

The film shows how people saw James Brown as an ambassador of change.  Did you learn something about James Brown?  

Cheadle: It's amazing that him coming out could stop a riot.  Not only in DC but also in Detroit.  That's a power musicians don't have today.  There's that line between making a living and living famous.  TV and the Internet, they dilute power, you know it's everything for everybody.  He knew were his power was.  He was clear about who he is, and where his power lies.