Variety reports that Nelly will be playing the Rock n’ Roll legend Chuck Berry in the Buddy Holly biopic Clear Lake.
A few other familiar faces have also joined the cast: Diane Guerrero (Doom Patrol, Orange Is the New Black) and Colin Hanks (Fargo). Hanks will portray Holly’s manager Norman Petty, while Guerrero will star as Holly’s wife, Maria Elena Holly.
The biopic will be centered around Holly and other famous musicians in the late 1950’s and how they managed to make an impactful change in the Civil Rights movement while also helping give rise to the Rock n’ Roll era. The script has been written by Patrick Shanahan and directed by Bruce Beresford, whose previous notable credits include Double Jeopardy and Driving Miss Daisy.
Pitchfork Media points out that in 2010 Nelly and Chuck Berry headlined a free concert in their hometown of St. Louis.
Nelly has not starred in a feature film since 2014, when he took on a supporting role in Reach Me. He has only been in three movies, with his most recognizable part being in the Adam Sandler-led remake The Longest Yard. His TV work includes a recurring role in the Kevin Hart-created series Real Husbands of Hollywood.
