While rappers like Brooklyn’s Gravy, set to play as The Notorious B.I.G., prepare to hit the big screen, Mos Def will be making a return playing Chuck Berry in the upcoming film, Cadillac Records.

Currently being filmed in New Jersey, Mos will portray the Rock & Roll legend alongside other actors that were signed to the Chicago label throughout the 1950s. Other key characters within the film include Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright), Little Walter (Columbus Short), Howlin’ Wolf (Eamonn Walker), and Willie Dixon (Cedric the Entertainer).

As previously reported by HipHopDX [click here to read...], Beyonce Knowles is also producing and co-starring in the Sony BMG film as singer/songwriter Etta James.

Based in Chicago during the 1950s, the film will place its attention solely upon the rise and fall of Leonard Chess, co-founder of Chess Records, and the label’s artists. The company is most famous for being considered one of the most important record labels in Blues and Rock & Roll history. The singles and albums released from the label served as groundbreaking pieces that up-started their movement with the combination of Blues and Rock artists.

Darnell Martin (Their Eyes Were Watching God) will direct the film. Production began early March 2008. No set release date has been released.

Reported by Cyrus Langhorne.