Just Mercy is based on the true story of Walter McMillian, who, with the help of attorney Bryan Stevenson, sets out to prove that he was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death for the murder a woman in 1986. The film stars Michael B. Jordan in the lead role as Stevenson, with Jamie Foxx giving “an astonishing comeback performance” as McMillian. The film came out in limited release on Christmas Day, but is going into wider release on Friday.
This isn’t the first time Foxx has shined in a supporting role. Though he’s been an A-list movie star for nearly 20 years, Foxx has done a lot of great work both as a lead and a role player. Here’s a look back at some of his best films…
Ray (2004)
Available on-demand via Starz or for rent
2004 was a very good year for Foxx, who won Best Actor at the Oscars for his portrayal of soul legend Ray Charles in this biopic from writer-producer-director Taylor Hackford. The film also breathed new life into Foxx’s singing career, as he would go on to win a Grammy for “Gold Digger,” his 2005 collaboration with Kanye West.
Collateral (2004)
Available on-demand via TNT
Foxx stars as Max Durocher, a taxi driver who has the misfortune of picking up a hitman (played by Tom Cruise) who’s been hired to knock off four witnesses and a prosecutor. As the bodies drop, so do Max’s hopes for getting through the night. This overlooked neo-noir thriller was produced and directed by Michael Mann, and the cast includes Jada Pinkett Smith, Mark Ruffalo, and Peter Berg. Foxx was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar.
Jarhead (2005)
Available on-demand via Showtime or for rent
Foxx again takes on a supporting role opposite Jake Gyllenhaal, who stars in this film based on U.S. Marine Anthony Swofford’s memoir of his time in the Gulf War. Directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty, 1917), and co-starring Peter Sarsgaard, Chris Cooper, and Lucas Black, Jarhead unexpectedly launched a franchise that included two direct-to-video sequels.
Miami Vice (2006)
Available on-demand via Starz or for rent
Foxx re-teamed with Michael Mann for this big-screen adaptation of Mann’s seminal TV show of the same name. Foxx is Ricardo Tubbs and Colin Farrell stars as Sonny Crockett, two cops who go undercover to bust up a drug cartel.
The Kingdom (2007)
Available on-demand via Starz
After al-Qaeda bombs a softball game at an American oil company’s housing compound in Saudi Arabia, Foxx is brought in to lead an FBI team to find the people responsible. This one was directed by Foxx’s Collateral co-star Peter Berg and co-stars Chris Cooper, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, and Jeremy Piven.
Horrible Bosses (2011)
Available on-demand via TBS
Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis star as three friends who all hate their boss and thus turn to a mysterious man named “Muthaf*****” Jones (Foxx) to be their murder consultant. Foxx is in the film only briefly, but nearly steals the whole thing.
Django Unchained (2012)
On BET Friday at 9:05pm ET or for rent
Writer-director Quentin Tarantino tabbed Foxx to take the title role in this slave revenge fantasy in which Django Freeman learns the fine art of bounty hunting from Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), who later agrees to help Django find the wife from whom he’d been separated by slave traders. The all-star cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Walton Goggins, James Remar, and Don Johnson.
Baby Driver (2017)
On FX Sunday at 5pm ET or for rent
The title refers to a music-obsessed introvert (Ansel Elgort) who’s hired to be the wheelman for a gang of thieves that includes Jon Hamm, Eiza Gonzalez, Jamie Foxx and Jon Bernthal. It’s another supporting role, with Foxx delivering his trademark intensity.
