The year 2008 looks to be a big year for hip hop in film. There are a number of films slated to come out and a slew of rappers with a lot of acting work. So we at filming hip hop have compiled a short list of our most anticipated films for 2008. The list includes films with either hip hop themes or hip hop actors/actresses with major roles in the film. Check out the list and tell us what you think.

1. Hancock (Will Smith) - This film looks like another winner at the box office for Mr. Smith. Following the success of I Am Legend this winter, Will has placed himself in line to have another stellar hit this summer with Hancock in which he plays a downtrodden, hard-living superhero who has fallen out of favor with the public enters into a questionable relationship with the wife (Charlize Theron) of the public relations professional (Jason Bateman) who’s trying to repair his image. Hancock’s release date is July 2, 2008.

2. A Raisin in the Sun (Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs) - The TV film, based on the 1961 play by Lorraine Hansberry and starring the same actors of 2004’s Tony award-wining play, A Raisin in the Sun is guaranteeing itself to be a television hit this year. The film, about a black family on Chicago’s South Side in the 1950s that struggles to deal with poverty, racism, and inner conflict as they strive for a better life airs Feb. 25 on ABC and stars Combs, Phylicia Rashad, Sanaa Lathan, and John Stamos.
3. Righteous Kill (50 Cent) - Well it looks like 50 has put himself in the right place at the right time once again (see Vitamin Water). For only the second time on film, two of the greatest actors of our time, Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, will play opposite each other in Righteous Kill (Heat was the other film and The Godfather: Part II starred both actors although they did not share screen time). In the film, two cops (De Niro and Pacino) find themselves in pursuit of a serial killer who writes poems about the crime he just committed, leaving them at the scene. 50 Cent plays a character named Spider.
4. The Vapors - The story of hip hop’s Juice Crew (Marley Marl, Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Roxanne Shante, etc.) Is scheduled to hit the big screen in 2008. Cuba Gooding, Jr., Idris Elba, Keke Palmer, and rapper David Banner are set to start filming The Vapors in February.
5. Notorious - Another biopoc, this time aboiut slain rapper Notorious B.I.G., is also set the premiere in 2008. There hasn’t been a lot of news on this lately, but there was a search nationwide search for the lead role last summer in which rapper/singer Sean Kingston’s name was mentioned. Fredro Starr has been rumored to play the late Tupac Shakur in the film and George Tillman, Jr. will direct. Keep an eye out for Notorious and more news that is sure to follow in the near future.
6. Be Kind Rewind (Mos Def) - Mos is of pf the most versatile actors in hip hop, easily ranging from dramatic to comedic roles. On February 22 he is starring with the hilarious Jack Black in Be Kind Rewind (directed by Michel Gondry). In the film Mos Def plays Mike, a video rental shop owner whose friend ends up unintentionally erasing the VHS tapes in the store. They have to record their reenactment the lost films for the stores only loyal customer, an aging woman with signs of dementia. This is a great concept and should be another great vehicle for Mos Def.
Obviously this list doesn’t cover all of the films set to drop this year, so that’s where you come in. What are your thoughts and which hip hop films and films starring hip hop artist are you anticipating most for 2008?