B.I.G. News: Notorious Finds its Lead Actor

After thousands of heavyset actors responded to the casting call, Brooklyn native Jamal Woolard has been cast in the “juicy” role of Christopher Wallace, a.k.a. The Notorious B.I.G., in Notorious, the upcoming biopic of the rapper’s life.

Jamal Woolard hopes to Hypnotize audiences as The Notorious B.I.G.
“It was Jamal’s charming personality, warm spirit, wonderful sense of humor and beautiful smile that won my heart,” said Voletta Wallace, mother of B.I.G. and one of the film’s producers. “He is a talented and charismatic actor and I am excited that he will bring Christopher’s character to the big screen.”

Notorious follows B.I.G.’s rise from a small time drug dealer in Brooklyn to one of the most influential rappers of the 1990s. A gifted storyteller with a loose, easy flow, B.I.G. topped the charts with hits such as “Juicy,” “Big Poppa,” and “Hypnotize,” while becoming embroiled in an infamous feud with west-coast counterpart Tupac Shakur that ultimately led to both rappers’ deaths.

Filming is set to begin March 24 in and around New York City. Also joining the cast are Angela Bassett as Voletta Wallace, Derek Luke as Sean Combs, and Anthony Mackie as Tupac Shakur, with George Tillman Jr. set to direct.

Notorious is set for a January 16, 2009 release. No word yet if Shakur has recorded a track posthumously to appear on the soundtrack.