Producers Hold Open Casting for the Notorious B.I.G. Biopic

UPDATE: Close friend Diddy will act as the executive producer for the B.I.G. film.

Producers for the upcoming Notorious B.I.G. biopic will hold an open casting call to find an actor for the lead role of the slain rapper, born Christopher Wallace. Audition videos can be submitted to www.foxsearchlight.com/notorious or www.biggiecasting.com, beginning Sunday, Aug. 12 at 3 am.

'Notorious' will be produced by Biggie's mother, Voletta Wallace, and his two former managers, Wayne Barrow and Mark Pitts. "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," Barrow said to the AP.

Voletta Wallace echoed Barrow's sentiments. "There will only be one Christopher Wallace, but I'm happy that his legacy will open a door for another to walk through," she said. "I don't want you to just imitate him. I want to see his swagger, his style, his energy and smile come through."

The East Coast rapper was killed in a drive-by shooting on March 9, 1997 in Los Angeles. He was 24 years old.