Michael K. Williams will play Wu-Tang Clan co-founding member Ol’ Dirty Bastard, whose real name is Russell Jones, in an upcoming movie.
According to the press release, the movie entitled Dirty White Boy will be based on the story of ODB’s friendship with Jarred Weisfeld, “a 22-year-old VH1-intern-turned-manager, and his misadventures with the legendary rapper leading up to the performer’s tragic death in 2004.”
Lars Knudsen and Jay Van Hoy will team with Todd Hagopian at Ocean Size Pictures to produce Dirty White Boy.
“We both knew full well who Ol’ Dirty Bastard was but this story completely floored us. As filmmakers, we knew that this would make a great film and that Jarred Weisfeld would offer an actor a complicated and compelling character to play,” said Knudsen and Van Hoy. “This felt to us like Risky Business and 8 Mile, with equal elements of darkness, humor, and humanity.”
“We are thrilled to have the genius of Joaquin Baca-Asay behind the camera, directing this incredibly original screenplay by Brent Hoff,” said Hagopian, “I know Michael K. Williams will leave audiences completely in awe as Russell Jones, the man behind the character ‘Ol’ Dirty Bastard.’ ”
Williams is best known for his role in the TV show The Wire, where he played President Obama’s favorite character Omar Little. The actor currently stars as Chalky White on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire.
