Snipes Is Rising Fast With Roles in ‘King of New York,’ ‘Jungle Fever’

Wesley Snipes gets fifth billing in the new ultra-bloody, ultra-violent “King of New York.” He plays one of several cops out to stop a self-styled Robin Hood drug kingpin (Christopher Walken) who’s determined to distribute his ill-gotten wealth to the poor.

But remember Snipes’ name--it’s rising fast.

He gets top billing in “New Jack City,” directed by Mario Van Peebles and due out early next year from Warner Bros., portraying a sophisticated, ruthless drug lord.

And Snipes is starring in Spike Lee’s “Jungle Fever,” now shooting in New York City. Snipes, who portrays an upwardly mobile architect involved in a relationship with his white secretary, admits to some trepidation about the role.

“I’ve been concerned about how to pull it off,” he says of the acting stretch. “I’m very grass roots, he’s a yuppie. I’m not a yuppie at all. I’m hard-core--rough, man, rough. I grew up in the South Bronx.”

For all his professed street toughness, Snipes, 28, has plenty of professional polish. He appeared as a villain in Michael Jackson’s “Bad” video, as an aspiring boxer in the film “Streets of Gold” and as a speedy baserunner in “Major League.”

But his strongest critical plaudits were earned in Lee’s last film, “Mo’ Better Blues,” in which Snipes portrayed a jazz saxophonist whose cool demeanor belies a deeper caring and complexity.

“The response to my work has been wonderful,” says Snipes. “It’s nice, because they comment on my work, rather than personal (aspects). They seem to respect me as a young cat who’s a versatile actor coming up.”

He’d like to do more action films--”the more action, the better”--but he’s also pleased with his rise to stardom.

“I got no complaints,” he says, while keeping his success in perspective. “We’ll see how long it lasts.”