Rap star Snoop Dogg
continues his ascent on the silver screen and has signed on for top billing in
the real-life story of him coaching his son’s youth football league.
A bidding war for
the story took place between Fox, Paramount and Columbia for the rights to the
story, landing Snoop a cool seven-figure deal.
The movie is the
story of the Rowland Heights Raiders, a team of 8 to 10 year-olds who play for
the Orange Counnty Junior All-American Football League and an overworked Hip-Hop
star, who is committed to coaching the team.
Snoop’s son
plays quarterback and led the team to the league championship with an undefeated
record of 13-0.
In an interview
with the USA today last February, Snoop complained that Hollywood was limiting
the roles that he could play, because of the recognition his name brings.
"Right now,
they want Snoop for the 2 or 3 million people they think I’ll bring to a movie
just because of my name," he said. "I’m looking for more demanding
roles, trying to find characters people normally wouldn’t expect me to play.
I really want to stretch."
The untitled movie
is being penned by Mark Gibson and Philip Halprin who penned "Snow Dogs"
and the upcoming animated Disney project "The Wild."
In an interview
with the USA today in February, Snoop complained that Hollywood was limiting
the roles that he could play, because of the recognition his name brings.
"Right now,
they want Snoop for the 2 or 3 million people they think I’ll bring to a movie
just because of my name," he said. "I’m looking for more demanding
roles, trying to find characters people normally wouldn’t expect me to play.
I really want to stretch."
Snoop said that
coaching and teaching the children on his team fun and added that he gave the
children strength and vision.
"I am falling
in love with these kids," Snoop said.