Vivica A. Fox Is Playing the ‘Game’

Since making a high-profile film appearance in “Independence Day” five years ago as Will Smith’s girlfriend, Vivica A. Fox has become one of the busiest actresses in Hollywood. Though there’s a dearth of meaty roles for African American and other minority performers, Fox has managed to find intriguing roles in both comedies and dramas. She was a regular on TV series such as “City of Angels,” “Getting Personal” and “Arsenio,” and has appeared in films such as “Soul Food,” “Double Take,” “Booty Call” and “Set It Off.”

Now she’s segued from ensemble parts to her first starring vehicle, the battle-of-the-sexes adult romp, “Two Can Play That Game,” which opens Friday. The R-rated romantic comedy marks the directorial debut of its screenwriter, Mark Brown (“How to Be a Player,” which is sort of the male version of “Two Can Play That Game” ).

Fox plays the sassy, self-confident Shante Smith, a successful ad executive who manages to find time during her busy workday to help her lovesick girlfriends (Mo’nique, Tamala Jones and Wendy Raquel Robinson) with their man problems and visit her equally successful boyfriend (Morris Chestnut) for a little afternoon affection. But her world turns upside down when she catches her guy with another woman at their favorite club. After the incident, Shante initiates a “10 Day Plan” to get him back.

The film is being released by Sony Screen Gems, which earlier this year released another film aimed primarily at African American audiences, “The Brothers.” That film also co-starred Chestnut and was produced by Doug McHenry, who’s also a producer on “Two Can Play That Game.”