It has been nearly 10 years since Mike Epps landed his breakout role in Ice Cube's "Next Friday" as the hilarious Day-Day.  Now, the comedian turned actor has went from "Next Friday" to a lead role in the Benny Boom production "Next Day Air." 

"Next Day Air" is a gangster-comedy, which also stars Donald Faison. Eoos, who made a name for himself on “Def Comedy Jam," takes on the character of Brody, a hustler caught up in a massive drug scheme.

Here, Epps discusses Hollywood, that beef with the paparazzi last year and “Next Day Air,” which is in theatres tomorrow. 
 
What attracted you to “Next Day Air”?
It was just the type of material that I've never done before.  The fact that it had the gangster element, I wanted to be down with that.  And, it had a little message to it for the kids. 
 
Your character is Brody. Is there anything specific about him that you can relate to in your life?
Yeah, I have been in a couple situations before in my past. [Laughs] You know what I mean?  I have been in a situation where I just got some work from somebody and the cops pulled up on me -- I've felt those nervous feelings before.  I'm from the hood.  It wasn't no hard research for me. 
 
What about Benny Boom's vision for this film?
I loved Benny Boom's vision.  Benny Boom brought to the project something that we needed, which was great video direction.  He shot it way different than a regular director would've shot it.  Benny's going to get a lot of work in this business.  He knew how to pull what he needed to pull out of the comedians to put the movie on a rollercoaster. 
 
The dialogue felt very natural.  How much of the film was improvised?
None of it was improvised.  I was on the page on that one.  That's another thing, I wanted to show people I don't have to improv to be in a movie and be funny and do a good job. 
 
What is the funniest thing that happened on the set?
Mike Tyson came on the set.  They wanted him in the movie and he wanted like a million dollars.  We were like, "Hey man - that's how much it cost to make the movie!" [Laughs] You want part of the budget!
 
Are you an animated person in your daily life or the exact opposite?
I'm the exact opposite.  I feel like people expect me to be a certain way, but I'm just really natural.  They can be that way if they want to, but they are not going to get it.  You gotta pay $35.50 to come and see that! [Laughs]
 
What's the craziest thing you've seen in Hollywood?
A cop pulled me over one time - after he found out who I was and gave me a ticket, he also gave me his headshot and resume and said, "If you're looking for any extras or actors - call me!" I'm like - man, please!  I got around the corner and slung that headshot around like a Frisbee.
 
You got into some controversy last year; a lot of the blogs were blowing you up, when you called a cameraman a fag.  Some claimed you were homophobic or didn't like gay people.  What's your reaction to that?
I don't know where that came from.  Nothing towards the community -- none of that.  I might've just said it out of anger; it ain't nothing personally against the community. 
 
How does the rest of 2009 look for you?
I have my DVD out, “Mike Epps: Funny Bidness.”  I got an album coming out July 21st.  I got Snoop Dogg on it, Slim Thug, Too Short -- really nice funny album, like the Jerky Boys mixed with some music.  Then I got “Janky Promoters” coming out with Ice Cube. I got another movie coming out called “Hangover” - Mike Tyson is in that movie.  I got a standup show that I just shot in Detroit, called "Mike Epps Live in Detroit" that will be out Christmas.  I got a couple things so I'm grinding baby!