Blair Underwood Is a Tough Hockey Dad in Remake of ’80s Brat Pack Favorite ‘Youngblood’

Blair Underwood Is a Tough Hockey Dad in Remake of ’80s Brat Pack Favorite ‘Youngblood’

Following a career resurgence with last year’s low-budget horror hit Longlegs, Blair Underwood continues to surprise audiences with his latest film, Youngblood.

A contemporary remake of the 1986 original that featured Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze, director Hubert Davis’ new version stars Ashton James as Dean Youngblood, a standout hockey player navigating a challenging path toward success. Underwood plays Dean’s demanding father, Blane, who focuses on getting his son to the pantheon of hockey greatness that alluded Blane himself.

The role may surprise viewers who know Underwood from some of the more easily likable characters in his catalog, such as L.A. Law’s ambitious attorney Jonathan Rollins — which earned the actor a Golden Globe nomination — or Dr. Robert Leeds, who won over Sex and the City fans during his run as boyfriend to Cynthia Nixon’s Miranda. As it turns out, Underwood wouldn’t have it any other way.

Ahead of Youngblood‘s premiere at TIFF, the actor tells The Hollywood Reporter about the movie’s approach to race, Longlegs‘ surprising cultural impact and whether he would have been open to reprising Robert on And Just Like That.

Were you familiar with the original Youngblood?

I was not but became familiar with it. A lot of folks don’t know about it, but those who do are like, “I loved that back in the ’80s.” Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze and a number of people were in there.

I think it was Keanu’s first film role.

Keanu Reeves! That’s right.

How did it happen that the first film was seen as prime for an update?

Hubert was not the original director. [Former hockey player Charles Officer,] who is beloved in Canada, had been really shepherding this project for a couple of years and was going to direct. [Officer is credited as a co-writer.] Unfortunately, he passed away, and then Hubert knew him and had done Black Ice, a hockey documentary that was really wonderful. I really felt like I stepped into a Canadian family, if you will, because hockey is in the Canadian DNA, as I understand.

What was it about this project that spoke to you?

I love being able to show characters of African descent in an unexpected light, and I think my history and career speaks to it. We don’t often see Black people in a hockey film. I was intrigued by that.

What was your process for figuring out this complicated character?

As the father figure of Ashton James’ character, I didn’t want him to just be a hard-nosed asshole. He is a former hockey player himself whose career never came to fruition. So there’s a bit of angst and bitterness to his own history, but it is also what fuels him and relentlessly drives his boys to be successful at hockey. It’s not his story, but wherever I could, I just wanted to show a well-roundedness to the character and not just this angry man who’s driving his boys. He is doing that, but hopefully you see some nuance.

Given our current, IP-focused Hollywood moment, does it seem that indie projects can still get the spotlight they deserve?

I don’t know if they ever get the spotlight they deserve. They get some light and some heat. The industry is in a precarious place right now because of the contraction and the shrinking of the industry — less product, less money to go around — so that especially affects indies. I’m very excited about this project because, at the end of the day, people still need new content. We’ll see if somebody buys it after TIFF, but hope springs eternal. I feel good about it.

The story has a racial element. Do you sometimes look to tell a message about race in your work?

When I was 10 years old, my father said to me, “As a Black man, your presence is a political statement.” You don’t really have to say a lot but just to show up. In dealing with a racial component, this kind of project is my favorite because it hardly comes up. It just happens to be about this Black young man who has a love for the game of hockey and a very complicated relationship with his dad. That’s much more interesting to me than hitting people over the head with any kind of message. Just show up and tell a story, and let your humanity lead.

You’ve been known for likable roles like on L.A. Law, and last year, you played a villain in Longlegs. Do you find projects appealing when they let you subvert expectations?

I’ve always been interested in just mixing it up. I did L.A. Law for seven years of my life, and then immediately after that, I did a movie called Just Cause [opposite Sean Connery], where I played a pedophile and murderer. That really changed the path of my career, and ever since then, I’ve enjoyed going back and forth between what could be a noble, upstanding character and someone who is just maniacal and evil. In this case, he’s in the middle. He’s tormented and has his own personal issues. And I was excited to be able to just let my gray hair go. I’ve never done that before.

What is it like for Longlegs to have the cultural buzz that it did?

It is exciting. You’re only as good as your last project, as they say. Even though the industry is contracting, there’s still so much content out there. So whenever be a part of a project like Longlegs that had such a buzz around it and broke worldwide records for an independent film, it’s exciting and does give you momentum for the next project and the next project and the next project. It refuels and reengages a career. This is my 40th year in the business. Longlegs was the first horror film I’d really done. In some ways, I feel like I’m just getting started. There’s so much more I want to do.

Any itches left to scratch?

So many. You mentioned big IP — I’d love to do a big Marvel movie. I’d love to play Marvin Gaye before I age out. Some directing and producing projects, but at this stage of a life, I’ve got to be passionate about it.

You remain a beloved Sex and the City boyfriend for a lot of fans. Was there any talk of appearing on And Just Like That?

No! Cynthia Nixon has said some very nice things, that she’d be OK if my character came back, and I’d love to come back. But no, haven’t got that email yet.

The new show sparked debate among fans. Did you catch any of it?

I have to say I did not see the show. It wasn’t for lack of wanting to, but life gets in the way. For the ladies who came back, I’m glad they did and just found new life into this. It really goes back to what we were alluding to before — just longevity in this business when you can be a part of a franchise. I love that Cynthia Nixon also has The Gilded Age, which she’s phenomenal in. It’s just great when you can continue to be challenged in the work and give people new stuff.