50 Cent lands film debut

50 Cent has signed up to play a drug dealer-turned-rapper in a new semi- autobiographical 8 Mile-style movie.

The rap star will make his film debut in MTV Films' new project Locked & Loaded, which is scheduled to hit cinemas next year.

The Sopranos head writer Terence Winter is currently working on a screenplay for the project.

The film will be produced by the same team behind Eminem's 8 Mile hit.