Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has come aboard to star in and executive produce Free Agents, a sports heist thriller that Deon Taylor will direct for Lionsgate.
Taylor wrote the script with Joe Bockol and came up with the story. He is also producing with partner Roxanne Avent Taylor via the duo’s Hidden Empire Film Group, the indie banner that focuses on Black storytelling.
Agents, described as a high concept sports action heist thriller, tells of a group of professional football players who come together to steal from the team owners who as exploiting them.
The story focuses on a journeyman player who gets his last shot at his dream but just as he starts to find some on field success, is lured into a dangerous crime ring with some of his teammates that threatens his dream, his family, and his safety.
Jackson will play the leader of the ring, a veteran linebacker who pulls the young player into his dangerous scheme to get back at league owners.
The casting builds on the studio’s relationship with Jackson, who is the executive producer of the Power Universe franchise, made by Lionsgate-owned cable network Starz. The crime series franchise currently includes the hit series, Power Book II: Ghost, as well as the series Black Mafia Family and the next Power-verse installment, Power Book III: Raising Kanan.
“50 has been legendary in all ways I have been extremely impressed by his amazing energy on screen and his ability to light up every scene he is in,” said Deon Taylor in a statement. “I truly believe this extremely complex role will truly allow the world to understand just how unbelievably talented 50 is as an artist.”
“50 is part of the Lionsgate family and time and again has proven to be a compelling presence as an actor,” stated Lionsgate’s motion picture group president of production, Erin Westerman.
Aaron Edmonds and Scott O’Brien are overseeing the project for Lionsgate.
Deon Taylor last directed thrillers Fatale, which starred Michael Ealy and Hilary Swank, and Black and Blue, with Naomie Harris and Tyrese Gibson. Among the projects Hidden Empire has in development are Freedom Ride, a biopic on civil rights activist and Congressman John Lewis, and psychological thriller Silent John, to be directed by Aisha Tylder.
In addition to his Starz credits, Jackson executive produced the legal drama For Life and appeared in a recurring role. He also starred in such hits as Den of Thieves.
Jackson is repped by APA and attorneys Eric Feig and Stephen Savva.
This article was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter.
