Free Guy is now playing in theaters, and Lil Rel Howery, who plays Buddy in the film, talked about what it’s like to be in a position to play different types of Black characters, as well as creating opportunities for Black creators. Howery is currently the Head of Comedy and Black streamer kweliTV.

“More than anything, I think a lot of our job is to humanize Black people,” he said to Shadow And Act’s Managing Editor, Trey Mangum. “It’s important for me to find all the different stories, all the different characters [and] backgrounds. We’re all different.”

He also talked about creating a new project in conjunction with Judas and the Black Messiah writer/director Shaka King. King and Howery last worked together on Judas in which Howery played Wayne, one of the FBI’s team of undercover Black informants. The project, Howery said, “is going to be insane.”

“I like to take the everyday man and humanize them,” he continued. “I love Black people. We are so funny, we’re so talented, and I think we are good at making things diverse and that is why it’s important for a lot of us to be in the forefront. That’s why I love Ava DuVernay, I love the way Issa [Rae] moves, I love Lena [Waithe] do her thing.”

He added that he’s trying to follow in their footsteps when it comes to giving more Black people opportunities in the industry.

“For me personally, I’m just trying to do the same thing…create opportunities and really hire people [who] are qualified,” he said. “I think if we’re in the forefront…we’re going to do the right thing if we’re in position.”

Watch the full video below:

Free Guy is in theaters now