Republic Records and independent film studio IM Global announced a deal Monday to work together financing and producing music-driven films. The first film as part of the deal, titled Rollin' Thunder, will be co-produced by hip-hop's Nelly and actor Nick Cannon.
Under the deal, the films will be supported by soundtracks, music videos, and fan-driven social media, according to the Billboard story.
Rollin' Thunder's plot revolves around a former bowling champion who becomes an ex-convict who enters a bowling tournament in an effort to square things up with a local mogul and his estranged daughter. The story is set to take place in Atlanta.
Republic Records is the label for music talents such as Enrique Iglesias, Ariana Grande, Florence + The Machine, Lorde, and the Weeknd.
Though he's known for his acting roles in films from the early 2000s like Drumline and Love Don't Cost a Thing, Cannon has a pretty deep resume on the production side. In addition to serving as executive producer on his long-running MTV sketch show Nick Cannon Presents: Wild 'N Out, Cannon has served as a producer on a number of TV films.
Nelly will be making his introduction to producing on the film side after a couple of solid roles as an actor, including an appearance in Adam Sandler's 2005 remake of The Longest Yard. Both Nelly and Nick Cannon give the film some legitimacy in terms of the musical side of things.
The film is set to be directed by Bille Woodruff, who directed the Jessica Alba-led Honey (and its less successful sequel), as well as the Queen Latifah vehicle Beauty Shop. Woodruff also directed the Drumline television show, which was produced by Nick Cannon and aired on VH1.
Looks like Nick Cannon is bouncing back quite strong from his separation with Mariah Carey.
Watch below as Nick Cannon rap battles Nelly on his show Wild 'N Out.
