André 3000 Set To Play Guitar God Jimi Hendrix In Upcoming Biopic

It looks like hip-hop star/actor André  Benjamin (aka by his stage name André  3000) will be playing legendary rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix in the upcoming biopic All Is By My Side. According to a report from the Irish Film and Television Network, the OutKast member has been tapped to portray the left-handed axe master in the long-awaited film. Benjamin has been the frontrunner for the coveted role for a good five years now, so the news wasn't much of a surprise to industry insiders or anyone else for that matter.

It will be really interesting to see how Benjamin fares in the role. He's appeared in several films and is a decent actor. But none of those roles have been as challenging or demanding as playing Hendrix will no doubt be. The results could be disastrous, or Benjamin may exceed expectations and surprise everyone, similar to Jamie Foxx's startling turn as Ray Charles in the acclaimed biopic Ray (2004).

Novelist and screenwriter John Ridley will direct All Is By My Side. This will only be the second feature film that he has directed. Ridley, who will also write the screenplay, is most recognized for writing the films Three Kings and U-Turn. The project is currently in pre-production in Wicklow, Ireland with principal photography set to begin in three weeks in Dublin and Wicklow. The shoot will last six weeks in total. The film will chronicle Hendrix's time in England in 1966 and 1967 when he and his band, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, were putting together their landmark debut album Are You Experienced?