Love Game: Nick Cannon Hoops It Up and Rushes the Net

Krista Kennell/ZUMA Press.com

First, a little casting news here in the Lyons Den: Variety is reporting that Nick Cannon and Ludacris will costar in the independent film Ball Don't Lie, which also features Lost and The Hills Have Eyes hottie Emilie De Ravin. Based on the popular novel of the same name, this indie hoops flick won't mark the first time Cannon has played an athlete. And it won't be the last. As you may know, 'cause I told you so, young Nick wants to play Arthur Ashe in a biopic on the tennis legend who died from AIDS. The quest is on to find a director for the project. Here's a short list of some suggestions for Nick:

• Nelson George:  Coming off the powerful and poignant Life Support, produced by Jamie Foxx and starring Queen Latifah, George has got game and then some. He was roughly the age Nick is now when Ashe was at the height of his popularity. A respected and revered cultural critic, as well as a knowledgeable sports fan (and author), George would be my first choice.

• Forest Whitaker:  The Oscar winner would love to get back in the director’s chair after banging out a slew of films both studio and indie since winning the Academy Award. After an impressive debut and sophomore efforts with Strapped and Waiting to Exhale, Whitaker's most recent films, Hope Floats and First Daughter, have proven that he still might need his day job as a world-class actor in case this directing thing doesn't work out. But I'm guessing he would find the voice of the material with a project like an Arthur Ashe biopic.

• Jon Favreau:  After Iron Man, Jon will have directed three huge studio films back-to-back-to-back. Chances are, he'll be looking for art fare to sink his directing chops into, and what better canvas than one of professional sports' modern icons, who stood as a symbol of strength against the backdrop of two of the most relevant and powerful issues to affect the globe: racial inequality and AIDS awareness. 

That's my top three. Hit me back here on the page if you’ve got other good ideas. Whatever happens with Nick and Arthur Ashe, I hope it comes out dope. Who knows? This could be his Pursuit of Happyness.