Common has announced that he will be starring in and producing a new Indy flick. “L.U.V” will be the first time the rapper/actor takes on a execute role. The film will begin production next week. Hit the jump to find out what it’s about.

@Julie1205

Having seamlessly made the transition from conscious rapper to actor in films like ‘American Gangster,’ ‘Terminator Salvation,’ ‘Street Kings’ and ‘Just Wright,’ Common will now be taking a new executive role, as producer and star of indie film ‘L.U.V.’

In the film, Common, born Lonnie Rashid Lynn, plays Vincent, an ex-convict who strikes up an unlikely friendship with his introverted 13-year-old nephew Woody while attempting to turn his life around.

“Vincent is a uniquely conflicted character,” Common said of the role. “I found an appeal in his desire to move past his failures and onto the right track, and the challenges that presents.”

‘L.U.V.’ marks Common’s first foray into producing, a duty he shares with a gang of folks, including his manager Derek Dudley, and actor-model-producer Datari Turner. The film features several other first-timers, including director Sheldon Candis, who also co-wrote the script, and fellow rapper Marz Lovejoy and Michael Rainey Jr., alongside seasoned vets Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton, Michael K. Williams, Meagan Good and more.

“Finding an undiscovered talent like Michael Rainey Jr. doesn’t happen often enough,” co-producer Gordon Bijelonic explained. “The dynamic between his Woody and Common’s Vincent brings an amazing energy to the project.”

‘L.U.V.’ begins production next week.

Common recently wrapped filming on New Line’s ‘New Years Eve,’ the Disney film ‘The Odd Life of Timothy Green’ and is prepping for a starring role in AMC’s new series ‘Hell on Wheels.’

TheBoomBox