3/22/2012
Perfect Casting: Michael K. Williams to play rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard in 'Dirty White Boy'
We can haggle over the horrible turn hip hop took in the late 90s that continues to plague it, but one thing we can't argue about is that the Wu-Tang Clan, along with A Tribe Called Quest, helped bring the art form into the mainstream at the early part of the decade. Wu-Tang Clan in particular transformed the entire industry with their hard, street level beats wrapped in silly, accessible kung fu theatrics. I personally consider them one of the five greatest rap groups of all-time. The most recognizable, unforgettable member of the crew was Ol' Dirty Bastard, who remains something of a legend eight years after his death.
While there have been documentaries and tributes to ODB(aka Russell Jones) over the years, no narrative feature has ever come about. That's about to change, though, and they couldn't have found a better guy to capture the look and off-the-wall nature of the rapper. Deadline reports that Michael K. Williams, best known as Omar Little on The Wire, will play ODB in Dirty White Boy. Marking the directorial debut of Joaquin Baca-Asay, the film tells the true story of Jarred Weisfeld, a former VH-1 intern turned manager and producer and his adventures as part of ODB's crew in the years leading up to his death. The script comes from Brent Hoff, the co-creator and editor of Wholphin DVD Magazine.
I was disappointed when Williams didn't end up in Django Unchained, but if it frees him to do something like this then I'm all for it. It's funny how Hollywood can't seem to find anybody to play Tupac Shakur to any believable degree, yet Williams is perfect to play the equally charismatic ODB. Brooklyn Zoo!!