Talk about B.I.G. shoes to fill. When he was cast in 'Notorious,' Jamal Woolard didn't just land his first acting gig, he landed a starring role playing one of his biggest influences. Woolard is Christopher Wallace, aka the Notorious B.I.G., aka the late icon widely considered the greatest rapper of all time. 'Notorious' traces the meteoric rise of Wallace from Brooklyn drug pusher to international rap superstar, gunned down in '97 amidst the infamous East Coast-West Coast feud. The intriguing supporting cast includes Derek Luke (as Sean "Puffy" Combs), Anthony Mackie (friend-turned-foe Tupac Shakur) and Angela Bassett (Biggie's mother, Voletta Wallace). As for Woolard, he beat out hundreds at a widely publicized casting call to take the film's top billing.
Woolard isn't a no-name plucked from obscurity, though -- he's also a rapper known as Gravy. In 2006, he was shot in the rump outside a Manhattan radio station, and rather than rush to the hospital, he went on with a scheduled on-air appearance, bullet lodged in his behind. Now that's ... what's the word? ... gangsta. -- By Kevin Polowy
1. They held a massive search to cast the Notorious B.I.G. Did you go through the casting process?
Oh, man, did I ... I had to do all that, man. I had to get in my zone, I had to gain the weight ... I put myself in Biggie boot camp. I was in Charlotte and got a call from one of my friends. He told me about it; he was like, "Yo, man, I think you should go try out for it. You're the funniest, you a ladies' man, you know we from the 'hood. Let's go get it, son!" So I said, "Lemme try, ya know?" And I went out and I read on it. I seen the [other people trying out for the role], that's what made me gain the weight cause I seen how many big dudes [were] out, like, "Whoa, they huge!" I'm not that huge. So I ate. I was at 285, went to 340.
2. What else was "Biggie boot camp" besides putting on the weight?
You know, [studying his] behavior, mannerisms, his movement, his patterns, his hands, how he'd scratch the back of his head, [keep his] chin up high, cotton balls in the mouth, the walk, the speech, the rhymes, the delivery. I studied both albums, and 'Willie Nelson's Greatest Hits,' cause you know his mom loves country music, so I had to know what that sound like. It [was] a lot.
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Buy Notorious B.I.G. Albums on Amazon
3. Do you see many similarities between yourself and Biggie?
Yeah, 'cause my first dream was music ... And just being from Brooklyn, couple of blocks from where he was. I never met Big, closest I got to Big, sad to say, was his funeral. But just playing somebody you're fans of ... It's like, if you could do Big, how would you do it? When I was in high school, [I used to think] what it would feel like to be Big. And what's crazy is, I had my daughter when I got on set, when my dreams was being fulfilled. And he had his daughter when he got his first Bad Boy check. So that's a similarity. And I had my daughter on March 10, and he died on March 9.
4. There are all these great actors involved, but really the movie's on your shoulders as the lead. Are you feeling the pressure?
Yeah, I feel excitement. really. Got all eyes on me, let's see what it do. Let's just take it and roll with the punches. I feel like if I didn't do my job on this thing, I don't know ... In my own eyes, I was amazed. I feel great. I feel like people are going to be more shocked than anything.
5. Did you get much acting advice from the cast?
Yeah, they definitely showed me a lot of support. Anthony Mackie is a funny dude, and Derek Luke is crazy. But [they showed me] just how to focus, how to reset if you don't feel comfortable and want to do it over. You know, time is money, so you want to do it correct. And Angela Basset [helped me] with the scene [where Mrs. Wallace slaps Biggie]. I had to take that straight on [laughs]. I should have used a stunt person. You know, after 18 takes my jaw was whipped. I would never take no slaps from her again.
Notorious Premiere Photos
Jay Z attends the premiere of 'Notorious' at the AMC Lincoln Square in New York City.
Coco and Ice-T attend the New York premiere of 'Notorious' at the AMC Lincoln Square in New York City.
Voletta Wallace and Jamal Woolard attend the premiere of "Notorious" at the AMC Lincoln Square on January 7, 2009 in New York City.
Johnny Nunez, WireImage
** FILE ** In this Jan. 7, 2009 file photo, executive Producer Sean "Diddy" Combs attends the premiere of "Notorious" in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer, file)
AP
Sean "Diddy" Combs attends the "Notorious" Premiere After Party Presented By Ciroc at Roseland Ballroom on January 7, 2009 in New York City.
Astrid Stawiarz/WireImage.com
Actress Deepika Padukone attends the premiere of "Notorious" at the AMC Lincoln Square on January 7, 2009 in New York City.
Jim Spellman/WireImage.com
Actress Ginger Kroll attends the premiere of "Notorious" at the AMC Lincoln Square on January 7, 2009 in New York City.
Jim Spellman/WireImage.com
Actress and singer Beyonce Knowles attends the premiere of "Notorious" at the AMC Lincoln Square on January 7, 2009 in New York City.
Jim Spellman/WireImage.com
Faith Evans and Angela Bassett attend the after party for the premiere of "Notorious" at the Roseland Ballroom on January 7, 2009 in New York City.
Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com
Producer Voletta Wallace (mother of late rapper The Notorious B.I.G.) attends the premiere of "Notorious" at the AMC Lincoln Square on January 7, 2009 in New York City.
Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com
Reader Comments (105)
gallen1551 at 10:08AM on Jan 17th 2009
"Icon?" "Internationally famous rapper"... oooo!!
As long as these 'morons' are worshipped as 'icons', instead of being scorned as the trash they are, the future of a whole race is doomed. It boggles (rational) minds... how do you dupe a whole race?! The article goes on to recount his "meteoric rise from drug pusher (Who'd a thought?!) to international rap superstar, gunned down in '97". Geez... What were the chances? And THAT"S the career path you want to idolize & celebrate?!
Go figure...
maneater623 at 10:53AM on Jan 16th 2009
I still think "puffy" had something to do with it. How come he BLEW UP after Biggie died.
Come on now only a fool would think different.
thescoop at 12:45PM on Jan 16th 2009
Black America and the N-word:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP2U0jmZjec
Daniel Canfield at 3:02PM on Jan 16th 2009
This piece of crap movie is going no where...big fat ass lazy freakin wannabe musician..what a storyline...this isnt gonna be gone with the wind caliber...good luck punks
ladycobra at 5:29PM on Jan 16th 2009
oh my god i cant wait to see this shit here it is hot
crystal14life at 5:59PM on Jan 16th 2009
To Mr. Canfield, Please limit your very disrespectful comments. I, myself, being of mature age can appreciate the legacy of the "Notorious" one. I feel like I was personally there for the rise and the tragic and untimely fall. Mr. Canfield, I respect your rights to freedom of speech but you have gone too far, at least have respect for the dead if nothing else.
DivaMom at 6:38PM on Jan 16th 2009
I watched the movie today and I was pleasantly surprised. I am not usually a fan of rap music, and I can be a movie critic, but I enjoyed it. It was well done.The story of Biggie's life was told beautifully. It gave me an opportunity to understand the person behind the hype. I also was able to see the story behind the lyrics including those of Faith and Lil' Kim. I enjoyed seeing the relationship Biggie had with his mother. What can I say, it was a great movie. I also beg to differ with Mr. Canfield. The notion that he was a big lazy wannabe musician is obscurd. You may want to watch the movie before passing judgment.
Westley at 8:35PM on Jan 16th 2009
I saw this movie today and it was great. The entire cast did an excellent job as well as the director. I give this movie 5 stars, it is a must see!
Mark at 9:09PM on Jan 16th 2009
This movie will make history.. Just like Big Did.. Its opening Night And Tickets are sold out !!!
Its the story of life.. A person with a vision and a dream of a better life.. Takes a chance and puts their all into what they believe... That the American Dream..!!!!
mike at 10:34AM on Jan 17th 2009
Greatest rapper of all time? Kevin Polowy doesn't know much. Respect for the dead is not lying about them.
Carlos at 10:45AM on Jan 17th 2009
I believe that Notorious B.I.G. was one of greatest ICON to ever live during the young generation of his days. Maybe he was not liked by some, but he was loved by those who listened to his rapping style of music. Whatever, made his fans happy should mean something good for the youngsters of Notorious' generation. He may have done unpleasant things in his past, but who hasn't. Nobody is perfect. Not even the late Notorious' critics. Fine, if you think the movie is not for you, then don't to see it. But, let those who are curious go watch it, so they can say what they thought about the movie.
SharpestOne at 12:34PM on Jan 19th 2009
This movie was a disrace to BIG. It was way too vague and didn't touch on the man he was at all. There was no story line and the acting was crappy. The chick that played lil kim in the flick had it going on though "What What"!
Swerd at 11:24AM on Jan 17th 2009
he may not have been THE greatest, but he was damn talented, as anyone who's seen his rap-battles on the streets of Brooklyn can attest to.
Gallen...Yeah there's no need for the comments about him being a moron. He wasn't. He was a lyrical genius, and the fact that he grew up where he did explains his drawl and what you'd consider his "moronic" way of presenting itself. Comparing your intelligence to his is like comparing a black cat to an a-bomb...if you were capable of more than forum trolling, maybe you'd use what talents you had to make money and make people take notice. No, kids shouldn't idolize drug dealing and violence, but if you have such a shallow hold on your children and the shaping of their views that this movie can single-handedly do that, you're a crappy parent and you need to get more involved. I think it's awesome for Jamal that he got a chance on the Big (pun intended?) screen, and I'm very interested in the big-screen portrayal of this story.
P. Diddy sucks.
gisdestined at 12:22PM on Jan 17th 2009
I hate the fact that it' always a hating azz "person" who always have something to say about a black american who regardless of his personal challenges made a difference for miliions of people and his family regardless how you may define him. Al Capone, Meyer Lansky, Dutch Schultz and Bugsy Siegel should I go on?
all "White" Mobsters even the Rockafellas sold alcohol to get there $$ and they are celebrated. White people are the biggest losers ever created. You paint yourself white on the outside but your black and evil as hell on the inside! Hater's "Only you can get moey huh!"
terrence price at 12:34PM on Jan 17th 2009
Ay i think this movies is going to be decent, but all this stuff about the best rapper ever? i dont knw abt all of that honestly in my eyes Tupac was better than him real talk man. but i aint disrespecting him in any kind of way he was a good rapper but i dont believe he was the best of all time the movie should be good though. My question is when are they going to make a movie for Tupac like this? cuz thats gon be where its at real talk.
TJ at 1:29PM on Jan 17th 2009
I love to read to negative commentary on things because it shows how ignorant and unsupportive a person/group or people can be. First off, to go from drug pusher to a national icon is an incredible feat to accomplish. Growing up in the streets of Brooklyn, I know how hard it is to succeed in the "ghetto" legally. Some people aren't that fortunate and are forced to live the "streetlife". So to downplay someone's choice on how they live their lives is not only ignorant, its morally irresponsible. Plus, you're speaking from an outsiders standpoint that've never met the man, or knew him personally. So, in turn, you have no right to judge. I happen to love The Notorious B.I.G. and hopes this movie makes history and more importantly, portray Christopher Wallace in the light he so rightfully deserves.
Ichi at 3:07PM on Jan 17th 2009
I love reading how this whole thing turns into a race issue.
Honestly people shut up, if some are going to troll this movie it has nothing to do with Biggie being a black man and if it does then whoever commented that way is just plain ignorant. On the flipside responding with more racially charged comments is equally despicable.
Was Biggie black? Yes. Does that mean everyone who doesn't like him doesn't like him because he was black? Absolutely not!
Get your heads out of your own A***s and enjoy the story of a talented individual.
Polowy at 4:07PM on Jan 17th 2009
Mike, who would you consider the greatest rapper of all time?
The Italian Don at 4:21AM on Jan 18th 2009
First off, this movie is not a race issue, that was not what it was intended for on any level, by any means. To those who don't like rap, or agree with what he did in his lifetime, you are entitled to your opinion. However, that doesn't mean you get to spew a bunch of ignorant, uneducated comments, on this or that, just cause your fingers can touch the keyboard. Not liking Biggie, doesn't mean you don't like black people, and if you think that, then honestly...there is no help for you. It just goes to show that people use race, as a way to show their own true ignorance. Even if Big never existed...you'd still be sad, ignorant, close minded people.
As for gisdestined, with your comments on white people...you are truly a complete douchebag. White people are the biggest losers ever? Are you aware that even though, white and black people, have had their fair share of animosity, and turmoil...both races would be completely different, without the other. Granted, blacks were brought to America, through slavery, and although I do not agree with it at all, you'd still be in the Mother Land, had it not been for that. You also can't say that we idolize our white gangsters, because trust me when I tell you, they have many of their own critics. With that said, what would you say about Frank Lucas? Or Nicky Barnes? Even white people idolized them, hence their own movies. So what is it? Did you meet too many unfriendly white folk, and they warped your mind to such racism? Or were you just born naturally ignorant, and remarkably stupid? You should educate yourself, before you speak, because it's a shame to watch someone, with such emotion, spew utter bullshit. It pays to do your homework, and it pays to educate yourself, in many more ways then, learning about all the "G's" of our time. If you put half the energy, that you put into racism, into learning new cultures, and learning understanding, you'd be an exceptional person, instead of the sad, misguided person you are. I am not racist, in any way, shape or form. I do not hate, on the color of skin, I hate on the content of character, and with that said, I feel no remorse in stating, that you are someone that I could easily hate.
That will be all!
amanda at 6:10PM on Jan 17th 2009
i was really excited to see the movie when i heard it was coming out and i loved it. he's a legacy, many rappers would not be around today if BIG had never passed away...i really enjoyed the movie especially singing along to all my favorite songs