By Chris Richburg
Rapper/actor Mos Def will have some legendary shoes to fill as the newest cast member of the upcoming film Cadillac Man.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the entertainer will play revered rock artist Chuck Berry in the feature, which is currently being filmed in New Jersey.
Set in Chicago during the 1950s, Cadillac Man centers around the turbulent but exciting lives of Chess Records founder Leonard Chess and the artists signed to the legendary Chicago-based label, which included Muddy Waters, Little Walter and Howlin' Wolf.
Chess Records was started by Chess and his younger brother Phil.
In addition to Mos Def, actress Gabrielle Union will join the Cadillac Records cast as Muddy Waters’ girlfriend Geneva Wade.
The pair will share screen time with R&B songstress Beyonce Knowles, who will play Etta James, as well as Jeffrey Wright , who will portray Waters and Adrien Brody, who will take on the role of Leonard Chess.
Cadillac Man, written and directed by Darnell Martin, marks the second time Mos Def has appeared onscreen with Knowles.
The two acted opposite each other in the 2001 musical Carmen: A Hip Hopera.
For Cadillac Man, Knowles does double duty as the film’s star and executive producer.
Mos Def will next be seen in the William H. Macy directed film Keep Coming Back and Next Day Air.