Chris Rock on Tracy Morgan's Recovery and How ET's Nischelle Turner Inspired 'Top Five'

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ETONLINE

Chris Rock's Top Five is coming to theaters Dec. 12 and the comedian admitted to ET's Nischelle Turner that she inspired one of the moments in the movie.

"Three years ago at Sundance you said to me, 'So wait, are you a real journalist or Miss Detroit?'" Nischelle reminded Chris during her interview. "And lo and behold, the first thing you say in the movie to Rosario [Dawson] is [the same thing] ... Basically, I inspired this film."

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"Yes," Chris admitted. "You kind of inspired this film."

In the film, written and directed by Chris, he plays Andre Allen, a comedian who tries to make it as a serious actor when his reality TV star fiancée (Gabrielle Union) talks him into broadcasting their wedding on her show. Rosario plays a journalist assigned to interview Andre for The New York Times.

Chris says that character is very loosely based on himself -- with some major differences.

"I mean, I'm not an alcoholic and I don't have bear suit," said Chris, laughing. "It's not exactly me, but it's a version of something I might be."

The movie is chock full of Chris' real-life friends, including Adam Sandler, Tracy Morgan, Whoopi Goldberg, Kevin Hart, Cedric the Entertainer, Sherri Shepherd, J.B. Smoove, Jerry Seinfeld and more.

"When you offer people a part, they come and open up to you," said Chris. "Every one of them has a really funny scene and gets a big laugh in the movie."

NEWS: Tracy Morgan's Lawyer: He's Still Struggling

Tracy Morgan filmed his part before the horrific crash this summer that left him in critical condition. Chris said that he's been in touch with Tracy since the accident.

"You know, it's day to day," Chris said of Tracy's condition.

Tracy's lawyer spoke to the Associated Press today about Tracy's outlook, detailing Tracy's traumatic brain injury and his struggles to recover.

"He's been out of the hospital for a while but he's busy with cognitive rehabilitation, speech rehabilitation and physical rehabilitation," said Tracy's lawyer, Benedict Morelli. "He's still fighting to get better and he is making incremental progress… I mean he had massive fractures in various parts of his body including his face and he had a traumatic brain injury, a very severe one."

"[Tracy] is fighting his way back," said Chris. "It's sad. That's my boy. We've done three movies together, so I'm hoping for the best."

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