S. Samuel
Hollywood actor/rapper Nick Cannon has reportedly signed on to play the role of former drug kingpin Freeway Ricky Ross in an upcoming biopic.
Cannon and Ross broke the news in a new video which surfaced across the Internet today (March 4).
According to Ross, he and Cannon have a long history and he’s been trying to secure the rapper for some time. “I’ve been wanting him to play my role since ’96. We got hooked up, I met him I love his personality, know what I’m saying? We family now, we are going to get this thing right. However long it takes, his story has got to be told,” said Ross. Cannon is apparently just as eager as Ross and explained that the partnership was “history in the making.” (The Versed)
There has reportedly been some backlash to the unexpected movie news.
On his Facebook page, Ross proclaims the movie will tell the story of “Cocaine, Contras and America. THIS IS THE STORY OF THE REAL SCARFACE.” The selection of Cannon garnered mixed reaction: “He’s no Denzel Washington but we’ll take it,” one person commented. “What happened to Jamie Foxx? What bout Wood Harris,” said another. Then there was this person: “..nick…f**king……cannon? jesus, why?” Interesting. (Complex)
Last year, Freeway and rap star Rick Ross appeared in court over a copyright infringement case.
Rick Ross and “Freeway” Ricky Ross have appeared in a Miami court as the ongoing battle over the name continues. Freeway Rick claims that Ross is antagonizing him throughout the process. Freeway Rick filed suit against the rapper back in 2010 and has been battling for trademark rights ever since. (Hip Hop Blog)
The two have gone back and forth with their legal dispute over the past few years.
In May of 2010, Freeway Rick Ross filed a $10 million lawsuit against Rick Ross accusing him of profiting off of his name illegally. As a result, the judge ruled that he couldn’t sue because his criminal acts in the past had destroyed “any possibility that he has any valid trademark rights in his name, that have been violated by defendants.” The case was dismissed in Federal Court in November of 2010. (XXL Mag)
Check out the Freeway Ricky Ross & Nick Cannon announcement:
