PHOTOS: Wesley Snipes through the years

With his turn as a hard-boiled drug dealer in the crime drama “Brooklyn’s Finest,â€� Wesley Snipes returns to the big screen for the first time since being beset by legal troubles.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Wesley Snipes, out on bail while he appeals his tax case, has his first mainstream film role in six years.  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

Wesley Snipes keeps his cool at the photo call for his new film, “Brooklyn’s Finest.â€�   (Andrew Medichini / Associated Press)

Tax trouble: In April 2008, Wesley Snipes was sentenced to three years in prison for willfully failing to file tax returns. At the time of his sentencing, he owed $17 million in back taxes, penalties and interest.

Paid up? Snipes is free on bond while he appeals the conviction. Last month, he was permitted to travel to Namibia to reshoot scenes for “Gallowwalker,� a horror-western from Andrew Goth.

-- Denise Martin, latimes.com  (Reinhold Matay / Associated Press)

Wesley Snipes pictured here February 1 with attorneys, Robert Barns, right, and Robert Bernhoft   (Phil Sandlin / Associated Press)

Wesley Snipes  (Carlos Alvarez / Getty Images)