Originally Chris Rock's character was suppose to be a Cannibal but Fox's nixed it
'Empire': Chris Rock Was Secretly Playing a Cannibal
Here’s something you probably didn’t realize about
Chris Rock’s “Empire” character: the comedian was playing a cannibal.
Rock’s Frank Gathers, for whom Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) and Lucious (Terrence Howard) worked in their drug business days, was originally intended to have an extra-creepy edge to him. “Empire”
makeup artist Karen Lynn Accattato explained to
the Observer that creator Lee Daniels wanted to show Rock eating human flesh on the show.
“Lee wanted him to be a cannibal, but I guess it was too much for Fox,” Accattato said. “During the filming for scenes with Chris, Lee Daniels had this inspiration. He wanted to take it to the next level. Because that’s what Lee does. On the makeup department, they told us, ‘We want him to be eating this guy’s flesh. Come up with some flesh.'”