Notorious is an upcoming biopic about the life of hip hop star The Notorious B.I.G., who is played by fellow Brooklynite Jamal Woolard. It will also feature Angela Bassett as his mother Voletta Wallace, Derek Luke as flashy record producer Sean "Diddy" Combs, and Anthony Mackie as rap rival Tupac Shakur. Other roles include Naturi Naughton as Lil' Kim and Antonique Smith as ex-wife Faith Evans.

The film is currently in post-production and it will hit theaters on January 16, 2009. A teaser trailer was released in late September,.

Antoine Fuqua was originally set to direct before director George Tillman, Jr. signed on to helm the project. The film is being distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures. Producers on Notorious include Sean "Diddy" Combs, Voletta Wallace and Biggie's former managers Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts.

In early October 2007 open casting calls for the role of The Notorious B.I.G. began. Actors, rappers and unknowns all tried out. Rapper Beanie Sigel auditioned for the role but was not picked. Sean Kingston claimed that he would play the role of Biggie but producers have denied he would be in the film. Eventually it was announced that rapper Jamal "Gravy" Woolard was cast as Biggie. Other cast members include Angela Bassett as Voletta Wallace, Derek Luke as Sean Combs, Anwan Glover as Snoop Doggy Dogg, Antonique Smith as Faith Evans, Naturi Naughton formerly of 3LW as Lil' Kim, Edwin Freeman as Mister Cee and Anthony Mackie as Tupac Shakur.

Some people have claimed that Tupac is antagonized in this film, although directors have claimed otherwise. The production crew includes writers from rap movies 8 Mile (Eminem) and Get Rich or Die Tryin' (50 Cent).

• Official Movie Web Site

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