Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club
Episode: INTERVIEW: Gerard Butler & O'Shea Jackson Jr. On 'Den Of Thieves 2', 50 Cent, Kobe Bryant, California + More
Release Date: January 10, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Guests: Gerard Butler, O'Shea Jackson Jr.

1. Introduction and Personal Updates

The episode opens with Jess Hilarious welcoming long-time guests, Gerard Butler and O'Shea Jackson Jr., returning after seven years since promoting "Den of Thieves 1."

• Jess Hilarious [00:50]: "Gerard Butler and O'Shea Jackson. Welcome."

Discussion on Current Events:

Jess inquires about the recent wildfires in Los Angeles and how they are affecting O'Shea and his family.

• Jess Hilarious [00:58]: "It's been some time since you've been here before. Last time you were up here promoting Den of Thieves one."

• O'Shea Jackson Jr. [01:04]: "I'm literally talking, waiting for updates right now. There was some starting near the Valley area, so I'm just checking on my daughter and things like that. So, you know, little on edge, but nothing I could do from here except worry."

• Jess Hilarious [01:21]: "Is there an evacuation plan? Like if this goes, go this route or go this or."

• O'Shea Jackson Jr. [01:25]: "Yeah, but as much as you can. I wasn't expecting some of them to be as close as they are when I got up, but yeah, so I'm just trying to be a helicopter dad right now as much as I can."

2. 'Den of Thieves 2' Production Insights

The conversation shifts to the highly anticipated sequel, "Den of Thieves 2," delving into the reasons behind the seven-year gap between the first and second installments.

• Jess Hilarious [01:39]: "Now let's talk about Den of Thieves 2. 7 years. Why did it take so long to shoot part two?"

• DJ Envy [01:44]: "Cause O'Shea is a nightmare, and he's such a princess. Trying to get him to...[laughs]"

• O'Shea Jackson Jr. [02:47]: "There's no killing 50 Cent, really. There's one thing we've learned."

Gerard Butler on Script Development:

Gerard Butler remarks on the depth added to the sequel, emphasizing the meticulous script development process.

• Gerard Butler [03:03]: "So it has this like a. It has a more of a depth to you when you're on camera with it, too, because it's your actual baby behind the scenes as well."

O'Shea on Acting Preparation:

O'Shea discusses his approach to preparing for roles, highlighting the importance of deeply understanding his character.

• O'Shea Jackson Jr. [07:04]: "That was really my excitement, was that I'm able to play the same character, but a different character at the same time. And a lot of the prep was just remembering where Donnie is, who Donnie really is."

3. Return of 50 Cent as Executive Producer

A significant portion of the discussion centers around 50 Cent's role as an Executive Producer in the sequel, addressing fan concerns from the first movie.

• Jess Hilarious [03:53]: "You killed 50 Cent in the first one."

• O'Shea Jackson Jr. [03:57]: "I didn't kill 50 Cent."

• O'Shea Jackson Jr. [04:01]: "50 wants his hand in something. It's really no denying him, you know, that dude, he's been very instrumental in my thought process on a lot of things, especially moving forward. Super excited about this."

O'Shea on Challenges and Growth:

O'Shea reflects on his growth since the first movie, emphasizing his increased confidence and leadership in the sequel.

• O'Shea Jackson Jr. [04:44]: "It took a beating... den of Thieves 1 was my third movie ever. For the second one, I got a lot more projects under my belt, so the confidence was there for me to be able to lead, get it down, get me a crew to be in charge of and not get my ass kicked for two hours."

4. Addressing Nepotism and Personal Identity

The topic shifts to the challenges of overcoming perceptions of nepotism due to O'Shea's lineage, particularly being the son of Ice Cube.

• Jess Hilarious [05:54]: "Are you tired of that? I feel like it's over now. Do you still get that a lot?"

• O'Shea Jackson Jr. [06:05]: "It'll forever be there, you know... I can't concern myself with people who are just ignorant to it or try to fight it. I got to focus on me, man, getting it done."

• Gerard Butler [21:05]: "Dragged for the nepotism conversation. I think you unfairly get that too."

• O'Shea Jackson Jr. [21:08]: "Yeah, but I love it. I'm not running from that. I'm not running from my blessings or my family... It's been happening for centuries. It's not a shadow; it's taking the Jackson name and pushing it even further."

5. O'Shea's Inspirational Conversation with Kobe Bryant

A poignant moment unfolds as O'Shea shares a personal story about reaching out to Kobe Bryant for guidance during a challenging period.

• O'Shea Jackson Jr. [18:26]: "One night I might have been faded. I DM Kobe Bryant and Kobe... I asked him, I was like, dude, you've done everything. How do you keep yourself wanting more?"

• O'Shea Jackson Jr. [19:02]: "I hit him, and he was like, 'I'm gonna call you in a few days.' Two weeks later, Kobe called me. He said, 'That feeling you have... hold on to it because that's the only thing that's going to make you want to take shots, take risks, and uplift yourself.'"

• O'Shea Jackson Jr. [19:19]: "It was the first and only conversation I had with my hero because two months later, he was gone."

6. Evolution of 'Den of Thieves' Series and Future Prospects

The conversation explores potential future projects within the "Den of Thieves" franchise, hinting at the possibilities for a third installment.

• O'Shea Jackson Jr. [29:18]: "I don't know, Gerard, you tell us."

• Gerard Butler [29:19]: "A long time."

• DJ Envy [29:20]: "There's an idea that's brewing right now, but it's just an idea."

7. Impact of LA's Cultural Landscape and Recent Losses

Guests discuss the cultural shifts in Los Angeles, especially in the wake of the losses of influential figures like Kobe Bryant and Nipsey Hussle.

• O'Shea Jackson Jr. [26:42]: "Was a dark period at the time of Nipsey passing... it was a ripple effect."

• O'Shea Jackson Jr. [27:27]: "The city's healing. Artistically, we're in a beautiful place... proud of everybody from the city doing their thing."

8. Crafting Authenticity in Acting

The discussion delves into the technical aspects of acting, specifically mastering accents and maintaining authenticity in performances.

• Jess Hilarious [10:59]: "It's so crazy how you turn off your accent in the movie American All Day Long, but now I can hear it go in and out. How are you able to do that?"

• DJ Envy [11:09]: "Every morning when I go to set, I have to do like 40 minutes of voice lessons... making more of the vowels."

• O'Shea Jackson Jr. [12:05]: "Urban accents... different dialects."

9. Closing Remarks and Future Endeavors

The episode concludes with expressions of gratitude towards the guests and hints at ongoing developments related to the "Den of Thieves" series.

• Jess Hilarious [29:09]: "Gerard Butler, O'Shea Jackson, we appreciate you. Den of Thieves 3. Dead of Thieves 3. Working on it. Maybe a possibility."

• O'Shea Jackson Jr. [29:19]: "I think we made a great movie, but there's an idea that's brewing right now... just an idea."

Notable Quotes

• O'Shea Jackson Jr. [18:46]: "The only thing that's going to make you want to take shots, take risks, and uplift yourself."

• O'Shea Jackson Jr. [06:05]: "I can't concern myself with people who are just ignorant to it or try to fight it. I got to focus on me, man, getting it done."

• Gerard Butler [03:10]: "Big time. I have to say that."

• O'Shea Jackson Jr. [12:46]: "It's not about the money. It's about the challenge."

Conclusion

This episode of The Breakfast Club offers an in-depth look into the making of "Den of Thieves 2," the personal growth and challenges faced by O'Shea Jackson Jr., and the influence of iconic figures like Kobe Bryant. The candid discussions provide listeners with a blend of behind-the-scenes insights, personal anecdotes, and reflections on the evolving cultural landscape of Los Angeles.

Note: Advertisements, promotional segments, and non-content sections have been omitted to focus solely on the interview's substantive discussions.