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Chis Rock will make his directorial debut with this film, which he also co-wrote with Ali LeRoi. The two previously collaborated on the screenplay for surprise success Down to Earth, and will look to recapture that same spark with Head of State.

Completing the writing/directing/acting trifecta, Rock will star as Washington, D.C. Alderman Mays Gilliam, a guy who's on the edge of being red-lined out of a job. However, the Democratic front-runner for president dies, and the party unexpectedly chooses Gilliam as their nominee. When a presidential candidate passes away unexpectedly in the middle of the campaign, the Democratic party unexpectedly picks a Washington, D.C. alderman, Mays Gilliam (Rock) as the replacement nominee. Bernie Mac will co-star as Gilliam's unsophisticated older brother Mitch, who becomes Mays' running mate. Other supporting cast members include Robin Givens, Dylan Baker, Tamala Jones and Lynn Whitfield.

Rock's recent films have been hit or miss; while Down to Earth was a relative success, the big budget Bad Company was an enormous disappointment after being primed to be one of Summer 2002's bigger blockbusters. Head of State looks to be a return to the type of role that works well for Rock, with appeal to both fans and a more mainstream audience. (Kim Hollis/BOP)

Vital statistics for Head of State Main Cast Chris Rock, Bernie Mac Director Chris Rock Screenwriter Ali LeRoi, Chris Rock Distributor DreamWorks Rating PG-13 Running Time 95 minutes Screen Count 2,151 Talent in red has entry in The Big Picture

Comparison films for Head of State
Title	Date	Opening	Adjusted Opening	Screens	PSA	Adj PSA	Total BO	Adjusted Total	Mult
Down to Earth	2/16/01	17.30	18.46	2521	6862.00	7044.2	64.17	68.48	3.20
Primary Colors	3/20/98	12.05	15.49	1965	6132.00	7583.3	39.30	50.52	3.26
Bad Company	6/7/02	11.01	11.44	2944	3739.00	3739.0	30.16	31.35	2.74
Distinguished Gentleman, The	12/4/92	10.61	15.41	1933	5489.00	7671.4	46.43	67.46	4.38
American President, The	11/17/95	10.01	13.87	1508	6638.00	8850.7	60.02	83.19	5.88
Wag the Dog	1/9/98	7.78	10.00	1665	4673.00	5779.0	43.04	55.33	5.28
Dave	5/7/93	7.31	10.64	1155	6329.00	8866.7	63.27	92.15	8.66