Common Lands Role in New 'Terminator' Movie

Chi-town emcee Common continues to beef up his resume with a bevy of upcoming film roles. The rapper is set to star in the next installment of the Terminator films.

Common will join Christian Bale ('Batman Begins') and Sam Worthington in the science-fiction flick, 'Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins.' Common will play a freedom fighter, who helps Bale fight the "battle against the machines." 'Terminator Salvation' is set to hit theaters May 2009.

The rap star can be seen onscreen this summer in the action-adventure movie, 'Wanted,' starring Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman and James McAvoy. 'Wanted' hits theaters June 27. Common will also release his eighth studio album, 'Invincible Summer,' in July.

Continue reading Common Lands Role in New 'Terminator' Movie

Lil Wayne Joins Cast of 'Patriots'

Lil Wayne will hit the big screen in a film that should be pretty close to his heart. The rapper will join Isaiah Washington ('Grey's Anatomy'), Taraji P. Henson ('Hustle & Flow,' 'Smokin' Aces' ) and Bow Wow in the sports drama, 'Patriots,' set in Wayne's hometown of New Orleans.

Based on a true story, 'Patriots,' will tell the story of high school basketball coach Al Collins, who takes his team of displaced students from various city schools to a state championship.

Wayne's much delayed album, 'Tha Carter III,' is due in stores June 10.

Continue reading Lil Wayne Joins Cast of 'Patriots'

50 Cent Lands on Death Row in 'Spectacular Regret'

Retired Rapper 50 Cent's versatile acting career continues, as Curtis prepares to appear in two upcoming murder-related feature films.

The first, Robert Deniro and Al Pacino's new vehicle 'Righteous Kill,' is directed by Jon Avnet (vaguely known for directing 'Fried Green Tomatoes' and producing gangster classics 'Poodle Springs' and 'The Mighty Ducks' trilogy). Though the title sounds like a Jean-Claude Van Damme masterpiece (i.e. 'Hard Target'), Fif's role appears to be about as long as Van Damme's part in 'Breakin',' if the trailer is any indication.

'Righteous Kill' hits theaters in September 2008, so practice your "G-G-G-G-Unit" ad libs for the quiet moments, if the group has any other remaining members by then.

Next, 50 is set to star as a death row inmate in 'Spectacular Regret,' which also features Danny Huston, John Ortiz and Kelli Garner and is helmed by Joshua Leonard, who starred in the 'Blair Witch Project,' in his feature directorial debut.

Other titles for the film may have included 'Astounding Disappointment,' 'Tremendous Mishap,' and 'Astonishing Failure,' but 'Spectacular Regret' apparently summed it up best.

Continue reading 50 Cent Lands on Death Row in 'Spectacular Regret'

Rick Ross, David Banner to Hit the Big Screen in 'Days of Wrath'

Rick Ross, David Banner and Slim Thug are set to appear in the upcoming drama 'Days of Wrath,' alongside Academy-award nominated actor Laurence Fishburne, Taye Diggs, Wilmer Valderrama (That '70s Show) and Jeffrey Dean Morgan (P.S. I Love You).

The urban thriller tells the story of two Los Angeles gangs, a callous television producer and the innocent bystanders involved in this tangled tale of gang violence.

Laurence Fishburne plays a teacher/mentor who acts as the voice of reason for the young, warring gang members. Valderrama shows some range and takes on the role of the ruthless thug, who sets off the string of violence events. Ross, Banner and Slim appear as members of one of the rival gangs.

Ludacris to Go Green in Upcoming Reality Series

It ain't easy being green ... but rapper/actor Ludacris has signed on to star in the Discovery Network's upcoming reality series to show the country how important it is to take care of the environment.

Ludacris will star alongside former Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee in the reality program dubbed 'Battleground Earth,' which is set to air in late July or early August, according to Variety.

In the meantime, the rapper is working on several projects, including a film titled 'Max Payne' with actor Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and Beau Bridges. Luda will also flex his acting muscles in the upcoming basketball drama 'Ball Don't Lie,' starring Nick Cannon and Rosanna Arquette.

Mos Def to Play Chuck Berry in 'Cadillac Records'

Rapper/actor Mos Def has snagged the role of legendary rocker Chuck Berry in 'Cadillac Records,' the 1950s period piece based on the iconic Chicago-based Chess Records.

Mos will star alongside R&B diva Beyonce (who's portraying Etta James in the film), Academy award-winning actor Adrien Brody, actress Gabrielle Union and Cedric the Entertainer.

Mighty Mos recently starred in the quirky comedy, 'Be Kind Rewind,' with Jack Black. The rapper also plans on releasing his fourth studio album this summer. 'Cadillac Records,' which recently began production, is expected to hit theaters in 2009.

Bob Marley's Family Fight Over Music Rights

The family of the late Bob Marley are in a music licensing battle that could force one of the two upcoming biopics to proceed -- if they so choose -- without any of the reggae legend's hit songs. Marley's estate is refusing to give the Weinstein Co. -- the company behind the film adaptation of Rita Marley's book 'No Woman No Cry: My Life With Bob Marley' -- rights to license the music because the icon's catalog is already being used in the upcoming Martin Scorsese documentary.

"When I sold the film rights to my book," Rita Marley told the Hollywood Reporter of the snafu. "The contract did not include any rights to use my husband's music."

Unfortunately for Rita, who's taken on the role of executive producer for the Weinstein project, the majority of the family seems to be backing the Scorsese film. "All our efforts and support are currently directed toward the documentary," the film's executive producer, and oldest son of Rita and Bob, Ziggy Marley said. "We believe that this project is the best way to represent our father's life from his perspective, and any other film project pertaining to our father will be empty without his music to support it."

Continue reading Bob Marley's Family Fight Over Music Rights

Beyonce Gets 'Obsessed' in Upcoming Thriller

R&B diva Beyonce Knowles has signed on to star in the Screen Gems upcoming thriller 'Obsessed,' which is scheduled to begin production in the summer.

The singer will star alongside actor Idris Elba ('American Gangster') and Ali Larter ('Heroes') in the film. Knowles will play Idris' bombshell wife -- no stretch there -- who has her almost perfect life interrupted when Larter begins stalking her husband.

The R&B beauty, along with her father Mathew Knowles, will also act at as executive producer. The 10-time Grammy winner is also producing and co-starring as Etta James in the 1950s period flick, 'Cadillac Records.'

Newcomer Tapped for Notorious B.I.G. Biopic

Newcomer Jamal "Gravy" Woolard has landed the role of the slain rapper Notorious B.I.G. in the upcoming biopic, dubbed 'Notorious.'

Woolard, a Brooklyn-based rapper, will join award-winning actress Angela Bassett, Derek Luke and Anthony Mackie in the film, which is set to begin production on March 24. Bassett will play B.I.G.'s mother, Voletta Wallace; Luke has signed on to portray Sean "Diddy" Combs and Mackie will appear as Tupac Shakur.

Wallace, who serves as one of the film's producers, stands by the decision to cast Woolard to play B.I.G. -- whose real name was Christopher Wallace -- and praised him for his "charming personality, warm spirit, wonderful sense of humor and beautiful smile." "He is a talented and charismatic actor, and I am excited that he will bring Christopher's character to life," Wallace said in a statement. 'Notorious' is due in theaters January 2009.

Common, the Game to Hit the Big Screen in 'Street Kings'



Common and the Game will hit the big screen together this spring in the Keanu Reeves police drama, 'Street Kings,' which was originally titled 'The Night Watchman,' due in theaters April 11.

Reeves plays a Los Angeles cop who goes on a quest to find the killers of his former partner. Common stars alongside Reeves as Officer Coates, while the Game plays a convict tied to Reeves' investigation.

The film also stars Forest Whitaker ('Vantage Point,' 'The Last King of Scotland'), Hugh Laurie ('House'), Chris Evans ('Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer'), John Corbett ('My Big Fat Greek Wedding') and Jay Mohr ('Are We There Yet?').

Common is also set to appear in this summer's action/adventure movie, 'Wanted,' alongside James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman, and he's been tapped to play the Green Lantern in the upcoming 'Justice League of America' film.

Bow Wow Set to Hit the Big Screen in 'Driving Lessons'

Young rap star Bow Wow has signed on to play a "wannabe thug" in the dark, indie comedy 'Driving Lessons,' according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The rapper, who has a growing number of acting roles tucked under his belt, will star alongside actors Jermaine Williams ('The Great Debaters,' 'Stomp the Yard'), Selma Blair ('HellBoy'), Chi McBride (Roll Bounce) and Dermot Mulroney ('Georgia Rule').

The film is expected to begin production next month and will hit theaters in 2009.

Continue reading Bow Wow Set to Hit the Big Screen in 'Driving Lessons'

Common Confirms Green Lantern Rumors

Chi-town's hip-hop hero Common has confirmed that he'll play the role of the Green Lantern in the upcoming 'Justice League of America' film. There's just one problem ... the film's progress has been stalled due to the ongoing writers strike.

"It's a blessing really, to know that I could potentially be this superhero," Common told MTV. "Justice League itself is an honor, and Green Lantern is an incredible character to play. It's a blessing to be associated with it."

While the film waits for the green light, Common is already set to appear in this summer's action/adventure movie, 'Wanted,' alongside James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman, and he's been linked to the upcoming Keanu Reeves drama, 'The Night Watchman.'

RZA Lands Role in 'Repossession Mambo'

The Wu-Tang Clan's RZA will add to his resume with a role in the upcoming film 'Repossession Mambo,' hitting theaters next year. The rapper-turned-actor will star alongside Academy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker, Jude Law and Liev Schreiber in the science-fiction flick about a repo man, played by Law, whose body has been constructed almost entirely of artificial organs.

"It's going to be a big movie," RZA told MTV. "I play a music producer who is strung out on drugs, and I can't afford to pay my bills. They've got to repossess my heart."

Common Rumored to Play Green Lantern

Chi-town rapper Common is building quite a resume lately. After appearing in two flicks in 2007 -- 'Smokin' Aces' and 'American Gangster' -- Common will reportedly play the Green Lantern in the comic-book inspired film, 'Justice League of America.'

Whether the rumors or true or not, Common has officially crossed over into the acting world. The rapper is already set to appear in this summer's action/adventure movie, 'Wanted,' alongside James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman, and he's been linked to the upcoming Keanu Reeves drama, 'The Night Watchman.'

Ice Cube, David Banner to Star in 'The Comeback'



The West Coast meets Mississippi's finest when Ice Cube and David Banner join forces in the upcoming movie 'The Comeback.' The film, which is being produced by Cube's Cubevision Productions and directed by Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst, is based on the true story of Jasmine Plummer, the first female quarterback in Pop Warner Conference football history.

Actress Keke Palmer of 'Akeelah and the Bee' fame will star as Plummer. Cube will play a former high school football star who helps his niece, Plummer, lead her team to the national tournament. Banner is set to appear in a supporting role.

Banner, who's reportedly been taking acting classes to hone his skills, is also working on releasing his long-awaited fourth album, 'The Greatest Story Ever Told,' due later this year.

Next Page >

AOL Music

Music
Web