It isn’t easy to find someone to fill the shoes when you’re making a biopic about someone as large as Notorious B.I.G., but producers for the film are going to give it a try. Rather than try to make some existing actor fit the role, anyone who looks and fits the part will be considered, as B.I.G.’s mother, Voletta Wallace, and his former managers Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts hold an open casting call for the film they are producing.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fox Searchlight Pictures will make an official announcement about the casting call tomorrow. Beginning 3am on Sunday, August 12th, audition videos will be able to be sent through www.foxsearchlight.com/notorious or www.biggiecasting.com.
Be warned: Voletta, is looking for more than just an imitation of her son, real name Christopher Wallace, however. There will only be one Christopher Wallace, but I'm happy that his legacy will open a door for another to walk through. I don't want you to just imitate him. I want to see his swagger, his style, his energy and smile come through” I would love to see the raw audition tapes, though. I can only imagine how many scrawny white boys are going to try to put their hat in the ring for this.
Part of the reason for the open auditions is a decided lack of available talent in Hollywood to step into such a role. Barrow told the press "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." Whitaker himself is considered too old to play Wallace, who died at 24, so the Oscar-winning actor wasn’t approached. I’m just glad Anthony Anderson’s name wasn’t tossed around.
So here’s your chance. If you think you have what it takes to play the legendary rapper, give it a try. Somehow I expect this to have an overwhelming response, however, so don’t get your hopes up too high.
