Here's a cast and character guide for 2005 sequel Be Cool. Following his comeback with 1994's Pulp Fiction, John Travolta embarked on a string of hits, including John Woo's Broken Arrow, Face/Off and Phenomenon. His first post-Pulp Fiction success was 1995's Get Shorty, which was based on Elmore Leonard's novel of the same name. Travolta was perfectly suited for the lead role, playing a slick loan shark who moves into the movie business. The film also starred Rene Russo, Gene Hackman, and Danny DeVito.
A decade later Travolta returned for sequel Be Cool, where his character Chilli Palmer - having grown weary of moviemaking - moves into the music business. Despite featuring a great cast and a talented director in F. Gary Gray (Straight Outta Compton), the movie just didn't work. The humor often failed to land and it felt leaden compared to the first movie. The sequel also underperformed, ruling out more entries. The franchise did continue with TV series Get Shorty, starring Chris O'Dowd and Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond).
Here's a cast and character guide for Be Cool.
John Travolta - Chilli Palmer
John Travolta returns as Chilli, who takes over a music company following the death of its owner and Chilli's friend Tommy. He works alongside Tommy's widow Edie to save the company while trying to make their new discovery Linda a star. He also has to deal with various gangsters and hitmen along the way.
Uma Thurman - Edie
Be Cool was partly sold on the reunion between Travolta and his Pulp Fiction co-star Uma Thurman, and they even have another big dance scene. Edie is Tommy's widow and she teams with Chilli to save the company from the debt it owes to producer Sin LaSalle.
Cedric the Entertainer - Sin LaSalle
Cedric the Entertainer (Johnson Family Vacation) is ruthless hip-hip producer Sin LaSalle in Be Cool, who comes to collect the money owed to him by Edie's company. He later becomes a producer to Linda alongside Chilli and Edie.
Vince Vaughn - Raji
Brawl In Cell Block 99's Vince Vaughn plays Raji, an obnoxious music promoter who originally holds Linda's contract alongside Nick Carr, who both do their best to kill Chilli and destroy his company.
Christina Milian - Linda Moon
Christina Milian is Linda in Be Cool, a singer Chilli frees from a contract with Raji and becomes her manager. She later becomes a big success following a performance at an Aerosmith concert.
Dwayne Johnson - Elliot Wilhelm
Be Cool was one of Dwayne Johnson's (Fast Five) first roles outside of the action genre, and his charismatic turn as Raji's gay bodyguard and aspiring actor Elliot is considered a highlight of the sequel.
Harvey Keitel - Nick Carr
Harvey Keitel (The Irishman) is Carr in Be Cool and is another veteran from Pulp Fiction. He and Raji cook up various schemes to ruin Chilli and Edie, all of which backfire; Keitel previously played himself in the final scene of Get Shorty.