Michael K. Williams Will Play Rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard In ‘Dirty White Boy’
In the realm of films about iconic deceased rappers,Dirty White Boyhas to take the cake. It’s the story of how Wu-Tang Clan co-founder Ol' Dirty Bastard, aka Russell Jones, was partially conned into letting an unproven VH1 production assistant named Jarred Weisfeld manage him while the rapper was in jail. The move paid off, sparking an unlikely comeback, before ODB passed away due to a drug overdose at the age of 35.
ODB’s story has been oneseveral filmmakersandeven his friendshave been trying to get to the big screen but it seems this relationship was the hook that’ll get it in cinemas first. First-time directorJoaquin Baca-Asaywill helmDirty White Boyand he’s already cast the lead: none other thanThe WireandBoardwalk Empire’sMichael K. Williams. The script is the first ever byBrent Hoff, an acquaintance of the pair. Read more after the jump.
Entertainment Weeklyfirst broke the news of this casting and film. And though this wil be Baca-Asay’s first directing gig, he’s an experienced cinematographer whose worked onWe Own the Night, Roger Dodgerand even Jay-Z’s video99 Problems.Dirty White Boywill be produced by the team behind recent Oscar-winnerBeginners, Lars Knudsen and Jay Van Hoy, who said the following in a news release:
Another producer, Todd Hagopian, added the following about Williams and the rest of the team:
We are thrilled to have the genius of Joaquin Baca-Asay behind the camera, directing this incredibly original screenplay by Brent Hoff. I know Michael K. Williams will leave audiences completely in awe as Russell Jones, the man behind the character ‘Ol’ Dirty Bastard.'
ODB’s cousin and fellow Wu-Tang Clan founder Raekwon has reportedly been writinganother film about the deceased rapper with Tracy Morgan and Eddie Griffin hoping to play the role. Each of them would certainly bring to life ODB’s charisma, but Williams is simply a grand-slam casting coup.
Do you think the Ol' Dirty Bastard’s life will make a compelling film? Does Williams have what it takes? Can this film be a hit?
