Tillman Jr. signs up for ‘Notorious’/Casting Search for B.I.G starts today

Over the weekend, Fox Searchlight announced a casting call for a role that (whoever actually lands it) will have some B.I.G. shoes to fill. I’m of course talking about the new biopic about hip hop legend Notorious B.I.G. Forty-eight hours later, Variety reports that African American filmmaker George Tillman Jr. (“Men of Honor” (2000) and “Soul Food” (1997)) will direct the project for Fox Searchlight Pictures.

The producer’s creative control over the estate is the reason why Antoine Fuqua (who was originally the frontrunner to direct the portrait in 05’) parted ways with the project and is perhaps the reason why a director who hasn’t made a film in seven years) will be calling the shots.

Written by Cheo Hodari Coker, Notorious is based on the life and times of late rapper the also known as Biggie Smalls but whose real name was Christopher Wallace. He was a major figure in the East Coast hip-hop scene before being gunned down at the age of 24 at a Vibe magazine after-party outside L.A.'s Peterson Automotive Museum in March, 1997. Eight years later, no one has been charged in the murder. His music was heavily influenced by his experience growing up on the streets of Brooklyn, where drugs and violence often dominated.

While John Goodman might have to pass up the part, the difficult task of the search for a possible Wallace lookalike is not the size, color or the rap and rhyme abilities (America’s go plenty of those), but deciding how weighty the role will become for the unknown. If it is performance-driven, then taking an unknown and setting them in that spotlight can reap in benefits much like Jen Robinson did with Dreamgirls. I know if I’d be casting the role I’d look for the hard nose, street cred appearance that can’t be manufactured…and definetely avoid the teddy bear Ruben kid from American Idol. 

Visit http://www.foxsearchlight.com/notoriousor for more details on the nationwide casting call.