It's been 10 years since Cedric the Entertainer appeared as one of the 'Original Kings of Comedy.' And while he's known as a funnyman, the Missouri native's latest roles -- 'Larry Crowne' with Tom Hanks and Lee Daniels' forthcoming 'Selma' -- has him doing more dramatic work than comedy.

Black Voices caught up with the veteran funnyman recently as he spoke about refreshing his comedic skills while still aiming high in the film world.

Cedric: My main thing is I try to write every week, if not every day. I try to write something that touched my funny bone, but I like to keep up with current events. I'm not a Lindsay Lohan joke person. I'm not going to talk about the people that's always in the news with the same old things. I definitely got material on the oil spill that's going on, I got material on the Arizona law with the racial profiling keeping the Mexicans out. I try to stay up to date and let things come to me, and that's my approach. The audience loves big jokes. They love to see the things they know you for and want to see it live, but most of the time a comedy audience wants to be taken on a new ride almost every time. It's a hard thing to do as a comedian, but it is the purposes of writing and staying busy, and the reason I like to stay on the road and stay performing.

Is it refreshing to do comedy since lately the films you've been doing you haven't been able to show how funny you are?

Cedric: Definitely. I've been making some choices to do some dramatic roles, some smaller roles. It gives me that outlet, the opportunity to be who I am and not be edited by studio executives. These are the things I think are funny and the audience is here and you get that immediate response. I love that energy. Comedians who stop doing comedy usually miss that vibe that's happening right in front of your face.

You have a couple upcoming films. Is your role in 'Larry Crowne,' opposite Tom Hanks, supposed to be comedic or dramatic?

Cedric: It's comedically dramatic. It's that Tom Hanks thing he does like 'Sleepless in Seattle.' It's a romantic comedy, and my role is funny but done in a dramatic way 'cause that's the way he was directing the movie. At the same time it's done in a very dramatic way. I definitely wanted to make my character real, but he's just funny. It's not really pushing towards the hard joke.

Are you acting alongside him?

Cedric: Yeah, I work with Tom and Taraji P. Henson, who plays my wife. We had a blast. Julia Roberts is in the movie, and Pam Grier, but I didn't do anything with them. I'm mainly with Tom Hanks and Taraji in most of my scenes.

One of the things people are looking forward to is your portrayal of Robert Abernathy in Lee Daniels' next film, 'Selma.' Is that still going to happen?

Cedric: Yeah, it's looking pretty strong. It got moved to the fall because the producers in New Orleans were a little concerned about hurricane season, and didn't want to go down there this summer and have a great loss. They'd rather wait 'til after hurricane season and go in October. Anything can happen when you put a movie on hold like that, but I'm optimistic about it and looking forward to doing it. I talked to Lee the other day and he's still excited. Of course, other projects come in and some stars fall out, but I'm making this a priority, I'm looking forward to playing this role.

Have you done your research on Abernathy?

Cedric: Oh yeah, definitely been in touch. I've actually talked with his widow. For a brief moment I was going to go down to visit with her in Atlanta for awhile. I've been doing all the studying, all the YouTube speeches, looking at the voice, reading several books. David Oyelowo, the young man who was cast to play Martin Luther King, we sit and meet and talk and go through study sessions.

With Hugh Jackman, Liam Neeson, David Oyelowo in the film, you're one of the few Americans cast in the movie so far.

Cedric: Exactly. It is that. He's such an iconic figure, this guy you could have a different take, you wouldn't have to be locked in and say, "this has to be Denzel," and so and so.