George C. Wolfe
to produce Kanye West film project

Kanye West is digging for big screen gold. The Grammy-winning rapper will executive-produce and appear in an innovative feature film inspired by his music. The untitled New Line Cinema project will boast a multiperspective portrait of the United States as seen through the eyes of West and several filmmakers. George C. Wolfe, the openly gay Broadway veteran who directed HBO's Emmy-winning Lackawanna Blues, will oversee the creative process as an executive producer.

About six writers and 10 to 12 directors will craft short stories, not music videos, that will be linked by a central narrative. The movie will feature new and old music from West. "This project will synthesize Kanye's vision with a fantastic group of filmmakers and create what will be a one-of-a-kind film experience," said Richard Brown, who will produce with Steve Golin.

West, a music producer-turned-rapper, has released two multiplatinum albums--2004's The College Dropout and last year's Late Registration--that have earned him six Grammys. The albums have spawned several hit singles, including "Gold Digger" and "Jesus Walks." The outspoken rapper generated controversy last year when he claimed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina that President Bush did not care about black people. (Borys Kit and Sheigh Crabtree, Reuters)