Chris Brown’s Character’s Early Death In ‘Stomp The Yard’ Has Been Explained By Will Packer

Stomp the Yard was one of 2007’s biggest movies. When the Will Packer-produced film announced its star-studded lineup back then, fans were excited to see Chris Brown on the list. At the time, Brown was a rising R&B star thanks to early hits like “Run It!” and “Yo (Excuse Me Miss).” However, the thrill of seeing Brown show off his acting chops was short-lived after he was killed off early in the film.

Sixteen years later, Stomp the Yard has become a cult classic, and now Packer is sharing the truth behind Brown’s appearance.

“I get asked all the time, ‘How come you killed Chris Brown in the first five minutes of Stomp the Yard? I came to see the movie to see Chris Brown. Y’all made it seem like it was Chris Brown’s movie,'” Packer said in a clip posted by The Shade Room.

“Second of all, Chris Brown was never intended to be the star of Stomp the Yard,” Packer continued. “We had this movie, it was about Columbus Short going to Truth University and joining a fraternity. We always wanted to have a scene where we showed why he ends up leaving L.A. to go to college, and it happens because his brother dies. That was always the setup.”

He then dropped the bomb that Brown wasn’t supposed to be in the movie at all. 

“In fact, at one time, it was gonna be one of the guys from You Got Served because Stomp the Yard was originally pitched as a sequel to You Got Served, but that’s another story,” he said.

Short, who made his acting debut in 2005’s You Got Served as a dancer, emerged as the movie’s breakout star despite fans hoping it would be Brown. He is best known for his role in Shonda Rhimes’ Scandal. Short portrayed Harrison Wright in the first three seasons. Short also appeared in Think Like A Man, Girl’s Trip and Night School. According to Deadline, he is set to produce Oracle, a psychological horror film starring Ryan Destiny.