The legend rapper Notorious BIG’s biopic has been held in abeyance for seven years. This made the producers decide that they should open the competition for finding the best actor for this role beyond Hollywood.

The casting process starts of Friday and will include both professional and amateur actors for the movie that will be probably called “Notorious”.

Associated Press was informed that the video auditions can be submitted to foxsearchlight.com/notorious or biggiecasting.com, starting with Sunday. This decision was reached after acknowledging that finding a professional actor to play Christopher Wallace’s (aka Notorious BIG) part seemed close to impossible.

"As it relates to the individual Christopher Wallace - his looks, his stature, what he represented, the swagger, the sensibility of the man - all those elements are very difficult to find, no matter where you go. In the typical Hollywood world, no one came to mind outside of Forest Whitaker who could capture that essence genuinely," says Wayne Barrow, Wallace’s former manager.

Although he came close to expectations, the Oscar winning Forest Whitaker didn’t suit the role because one major drawback: he is 46, meaning that he is too old to play the part of the 24-year rapper. The young legend was shot in 1997, while he was returning from the Soul Train Awards in Los Angeles.

Biggie’s mother, Voletta Wallace is also a producer and shares the concern about the casting problem."There will only be one Christopher Wallace, but I'm happy that his legacy will open a door for another to walk through. I don't want you to just imitate him. I want to see his swagger, his style, his energy and smile come through."

After reports stating that Antoine Fuqua will direct the biopic, the Associated Press recently announced George Tillman to be the director. Tillman is known after having worked in Soul Food and Men of Honor.