Coming off of news about a month ago that Bradley Cooper was joining the ‘Team’ as Templeton “Faceman” Peck, and then word that Liam Neeson was joining as Col. John “Hannibal” Smith, it looks like rapper The Game is in “serious consideration” to take on the role of B.A. Baracus, joining Joe Carnahan’s cast in what is shaping up to be an interesting film.
According to Blackfilm.com, who has the exclusive, they say that The Game (real name Jayceon Taylor) is being seriously considered for the role, and will be going head-to-head with other potentials like Common, Ice Cube, and mixed martial artist Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. It looks like the role once portrayed by Mr. T is shaping up to be quite a battle of rappers, which can only help the film’s publicity.
As of today, The Game has only a handful of on-screen credits, ranging from 2006’s Waist Deep with Tyrese Gibson to 2008’s Street Kings with Keanu Reeves and Forest Whitaker. This isn’t a huge change from Mr. T’s credits, which were only 3 films and a TV appearance before taking on the role in 1983.
If this news turns out to be solid, that only leaves one more role to be filled: Capt. H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock, who was originally played by Dwight Shultz in the series. There is no word yet on what direction Carnahan is planning on going with that one, but when there is, we’ll bring it to you. With a screenplay by the team that brought us Wanted and the remake of 3:10 to Yuma, Derek Haas and Michael Brandt, the film is currently set for a June 11th release date in 2010.