Fox Searchlight claims Talbert and all his ‘Baggage’

Searchlight has sought to expand its presence in movies centering on the black experience, with plans to move ahead on a biopic about late rapper the Notorious B.I.G. and an adaptation of the multiracial female-bonding book "The Secret Life of Bees."

Call this a pretty good week for David E. Talbert. The author/writer/director is moments away from the premiere of First Sunday and Fox Searchlight Pictures might already be looking to branding the multi-tasker as the next Tyler Perry.

Variety reports that the indie unit will set Talbert to direct his own novel entitled Baggage Claim hopefully before the actor's strike this summer.

"Baggage" centers on the thirtysomething Montana Moore, who, frustrated with being single, embarks on a 30-day, 30,000-mile barnstorm across America to find an appropriate suitor. Along the way she encounters several interested prospects, including a preacher, a politician and a tycoon.

Searchlight is tapping into a segment of the market that only Dimension films and some Sony projects have been doing so for years. In the line-up they have distinctive African American projects like George Tilman Jr. helming the Notorious B.I.G. project and have just recently signed Gina Prince-Bythewood for Secret Life of Bees.