Rappers crossing over to acting is nothing new but the way 50 Cent (né Curtis Jackson) is doing it with his production company, Cheetah Vision Films, just might be.  Since creating this company a year ago, 50 has secured some major Hollywood talent in the forms of Forest Whitaker, Nicolas Cage and Val Kilmer for film projects. Gun, an action film about two friends who get involved with illegal gun sales is the company’s first release starring Val Kilmer and 50—who also wrote the story. The rapper turned actor told mlive.com he got the idea for the script thinking about “how guns go from the manufacturing point to retail and purchased by law-abiding citizens and how they fall into the wrong hands.”

Making money and business deals has never been a problem for 50 who has made himself a brand by stepping outside of Hip Hop music. Whether it’s his Reebok released G-Unit Sneaker, Playstation2 video game (50 Cent: Bulletproof); or his shares in Glaceau’s Vitamin Water—50 Cent is a creator of opportunities. With Cheetah Vision Films, 50 has been able to challenge himself not only as an actor but also as a writer and producer. Following Gun’s 2010 release will be Things Fall Apart directed by Mario Van Peebles, featuring Lynn Whitfield and Ray Liotta and co-written/produced by 50 as well as a re-make of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde starring Forest Whitaker.

50 Cent remains one of the richest Hip Hop artists/entrepreneur because he understands to remain relevant and continue to thrive in the entertainment industry you have to diversify. Look at the career trajectory of entertainers like Jay-Z, Jennifer Lopez, Sean Combs and Beyonce. 50 foraying into film production is a necessary career move and a viable outlet for more Black film makers, actors/actresses and script writers.

TAGS: 50 Cent, Adisa Vera Beatty, Cheetah Vision Films, Curtis Jackson, Forest Whitaker, Gun, Lynn Whitfield, Mario Van Peebles, Nicolas Cage, Ray Liotta, Val Kilmer