As he continues honing his chops on the big screen, 50 Cent is adding an adaptation of a Dean Koontz classic to his resume. The rapper, born Curtis Jackson, announced Wednesday that he had signed on to join director Stephen Sommers’ interpretation of the bestselling novel “Odd Thomas,” according to Variety.
Anton Yelchin, who recently appeared with Mel Gibson in “The Beaver,” stars as a clairvoyant short-order cook who encounters a mysterious man with a link to dark forces. Staying close to his hip-hop roots, Jackson plays Shamus Cocobolo, a blind deejay who helps Yelchin, the titular hero, uncover a satanic plot in this supernatural thriller.
The film also costars Addison Timlin, Willem Dafoe, Patton Oswalt, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Nico Tortorella. "Odd Thomas" is scheduled to start production soon in Santa Fe, N.M.
The film comes as an unexpected supernatural surprise in Jackson’s growing list of action capers. The Queens-born rapper recently wrapped filming on the heist caper “Setup,” starring Bruce Willis and Ryan Phillippe. Currently, Jackson is filming “Freelancers” with Robert De Niro and Forest Whitaker. As if that weren’t enough, he’ll also get a second helping of Willis when he reteams with him on the action flick “Fire With Fire.”
In between dodging explosions, gunfire and devilish calamity, it’s a wonder 50 has had time to put the finishing touches on his anticipated forthcoming album. According to BET, the fifth studio effort -- titled "Black Magic" -- will be done in time for summer. We’ll see if it turns out to be just as action-packed as his acting career.