50 Cent Animated Comedy Nears Fox Pickup

EXCLUSIVE: 50 Cent is getting animated. I’ve learned that Fox is in negotiations for an animated comedy project from the rapper-actor (born Curtis Jackson), feature producer Randall Emmett, Imagine TV and 20th Century Fox TV. The untitled project, loosely based on Jackson’s childhood, is expected to receive a pilot or presentation order. Written by Carl Jones, it follows a mischievous but well-meaning boy who often tangles with his eccentric family and neighborhood. Jackson, his producing partner Andrew Jameson, Jones, Emmett  and Imagine TV’s Brian Grazer and Francie Calfo executive produce.

50 Cent’s life has already inspired a screen project, the autobiographical 2005 feature drama Get Rich Or Die Tryin’, in which 50 Cent made his acting debut as the lead. He will next be seen in The Frozen Ground and The Tomb. Emmett’s involvement in the 50 Cent Fox project stems from the duo’s long-time relationship, including a stint by Emmett running 50 Cent’s former company Cheetah Vision. The two are also executive producing Power, a drama project about a criminally-inclined New York nightclub owner, which is in development at Starz. Additionally, Emmett/Furla Films, Emmett’s company with George Furla that backs mid-budget feature films, launched a TV production division last spring. The unit’s first project, action drama Rescue 3 starring Dolph Lundgren, premieres next fall in primetime on the Tribune stations, which gave it a two-season pickup. 50 Cent is with CAA and attorney Aron Baumel.