By Scott Mendelson HollywoodNews.com: Andre Braugher is doing okay these days. He may not be a multi-millionaire, but he’s been working quite steadily since his star-making role in “Homicide: Life on the Street” ended in May of 1999. He’s been a lead in a handful of TV series (“Gideon’s Crossing,” “Hack,” “Thief,” “Men of a Certain Age,” “Miami Medical”), and he’s had supporting roles in several movies (“Frequency, Poseidon,” “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” “The Mist”). He may not have an Oscar nomination like Melissa Leo, but he has several Emmys and a consistent flow of featured roles. Point being, he is not so desperate for work that he would intentionally sign on for nearly wordless cameo at the end of a random summer action picture. Yet that’s Detective Frank Pembleton himself as the Secretary of Defense in the last reel of “Salt.” Not only is he in the film right at the very end, but he gets fifth billing for his role that consists of two full sentences and a brief moment of heroism. There are other signs that Phillip Noyce’s “Salt” was heavily tinkered with in the editing room. It barely runs 90 minutes, its PG-13 yet feels R-rated in content and intent, the seemingly key role of Salt’s husband is nearly non-existent, third-billed Chiwetel Ejiofor pretty much disappears for the final third of the picture, and there are several moments (including bits of Jolie having sex with someone, possibly her husband) that are in the trailer but not in the final film. But the biggest sign of distress in the post-production phase is the shocking and shockingly brief appearance of Andre Braugher in a role that any extra could have filled. Awards News, Breaking News, Entertainment News, Movie News, Music News, Hollywood News To read more go to Mendelson’s Memos. Image by PR Photos
