August 9, 2007 22:39

Open call planned for Notorious B.I.G. movie

Biggie could be played by an unknown

Producers of the Notorious BIG biopic have said they will find the star of the movie through an open casting call.

The movie entitled ‘Notorious’ will include both professional actors and amateurs in its casting process which is due to begin this Friday.

The films producers told the Associated Press today (August 9) that video auditions can be submitted beginning Sunday to foxsearchlight.com/notorious or biggiecasting.com. An official announcement about the call is expected tomorrow by Fox Searchlight, who own the rights to the film.

Biggie’s former manager Wayne Barrow, a producer on the movie, said that finding a professional actor to play the rapper, whose real name was Christopher Wallace, was next to impossible.

“As it relates to the individual Christopher Wallace - his looks, his stature, what he represented, the swagger, the sensibility of the man - all those elements are very difficult to find, no matter where you go. In the typical Hollywood world, no one came to mind outside of Forest Whitaker who could capture that essence genuinely."

The producers did not approach the Oscar-winning actor however, because at 46 he is too old to play the rapper who was murdered in 1997 when he was just 24.

Meanwhile Biggie’s mother Voletta Wallace, also a producer, said she wants to se all her son’s qualities in the part:

"There will only be one Christopher Wallace, but I'm happy that his legacy will open a door for another to walk through," said Wallace. "I don't want you to just imitate him. I want to see his swagger, his style, his energy and smile come through."

The movie is expected to begin production later this year.

--By our New York staff.
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