Epps, best known for his comedic performances in Next Friday and The Fighting Temptations, added, "It was hard for a guy like me, because I don't have the training to be this actor that can just go to these places," he said. "I'm not saying I can't do it, but for this film I had to come to grips with myself and say, 'You know what? Don't take this too seriously. They hired you for the comedy relief. Be the comedy relief.' I still crack a joke [even during intense scenes, because] I don't want to find myself out there now all of sudden [trying to be] this great actor."