davidgreenwald

With roles in "Crash" and "Fred Claus," it's no secret that Atlanta rapper Ludacris has a way with the movies. Even now, the pint-size MC is in the middle of shooting "Max Payne," an adaptation of the criminal-minded video game where he'll star alongside Mark Wahlberg.

In October, he'll appear as Roman in Guy Ritchie's latest, "RocknRolla, "and has a third film, "Balls Don't Lie," slated to debut at the Tribeca Film Festival. Luckily he hasn't forgotten the rap game: His cinematic sixth LP, Theater of the Mind, will drop in September on Def Jam.

No pressure, Luda: 2006's Release Therapy won multiple Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song for "Money Maker," and also saw him debuting a new haircut. Think he'll grow his braids back for this one?



According to Billboard, Theater will include the new track "Let's Stay Together," produced by DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia, and will also feature production credits from Dre & Vidal, 9th Wonder, Ice Drake and DJ Don Cannon.

That's not all: "I'd like to work with Eminem," he told EW.com earlier this year. The rapper may get his rock on as well, with EW.com also reporting that Paris Hilton-dating pop-punkers Good Charlotte will make a guest appearance on the album. If that makes you hungry for more, the Luda-of-all-trades is opening an Asian fusion restaurant, Straits, in Atlanta later this year. Hope they serve popcorn.

-David Greenwald