B.I.G Casting Call: Meet B.I.G.’s Mom

Fox Searchlight Pictures announced that George Tillman Jr. (MEN OF HONOR, SOUL FOOD) is set to direct NOTORIOUS, the screen version about the life of rapper Christopher Wallace aka Notorious B.I.G. The film will be produced by Voletta Wallace (B.I.G.’s mother), Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts (B.I.G.’s former music managers), Bob Teitel and executive produced by Sean “Diddy” Combs based on a screenplay by Cheo Hodari Coker and Reggie Rock Bythewood. Zola Mashariki, Vice President of Production for Fox Searchlight, is overseeing the project.

“We have wanted to make a movie with George for a long time. His passion for B.I.G.’s life story is infectious,” says Fox Searchlight President of Production Claudia Lewis, “We know he will make a brilliant movie and show the true humanity of Christopher Wallace’s character.”

Director Tillman said, “Being a huge fan of Notorious B.I.G. as an artist, I’m excited to direct the bio-pic of Christopher Wallace. It’s a truly epic tale. There’s so much to the story that has yet to be told and I am humbled by the journey he took to become a man before his untimely death. This is an amazing opportunity to make an iconic film.”

Producer Barrow said, “George Tillman’s dedication to the life story of B.I.G. is equal to those that knew and loved Christopher best. His attention to detail and keen sensibility to capture the emotional depth of a character speaks volumes to his ability as a director. We are thrilled to have him onboard and look forward to seeing the life of B.I.G. through his lens.”

Fox Searchlight Pictures launched a nationwide online casting call for the feature film NOTORIOUS on Sunday, August 12th. Individuals who exemplify Christopher Wallace, aka the Notorious B.I.G., can still submit their audition videos online at www.foxsearchlight.com/notorious or www.biggiecasting.com .

In just a few short years, Notorious B.I.G. rose from the streets of Brooklyn to become one of the most influential hip hop artists of all time. B.I.G. was a gifted storyteller; his narratives about violent life on the streets were told with a gritty, objective realism that won him enormous respect and credibility. His stories were universal and gave a voice to his generation.

Fox Searchlight Pictures is a specialty film company that both produces and acquires motion pictures. It has its own marketing and distribution operations, and its films are distributed internationally by Twentieth Century Fox. Fox Searchlight Pictures is a unit of Fox Filmed Entertainment, a unit of Fox Entertainment Group.