So Solid Star Singing Shakespeare?

Buoyed by her Oscar nomination for short film Johnny Flynton in 2002, and directing Elijah wood in the upcoming Hooligans, Lexi Alexander is going back to the streets to direct Life 'n' Lyrics. It's set to star the one successful post-'21 seconds' So Solid success story, Ashley Walters, who recently acquired good reviews for his bad-boy-trying-to-go-straight in ** Bullet boy **. The story is pitched as cross between ** 8 Mile ** and Romeo and Juliet, but hope fully won't involve a hip-hop remix of 'wherefore art though Romeo'. It's set in the rougher parts of south London, where rap battles and tit-for-tat gang spats are the norm. DJ Danny (Walters) unwittingly (as always seems to be the case) falls in love with the lead rapper of their north London rivals, leading to a violent calamity of sorts. Although the title might suggest that this is another Snoop Dogg, ego-driven, extra long soft porn and bling music video masquerading as a film, Life' n' Lyrics actually has a little more substance. Alexander herself was a kick-boxing champion, who was also a stunt double for martial arts movies before she got behind the camera. So expect the violence to be gritty and authentic. Walters, if his Asher D reputation is anything to go by, will be no stranger to the life style being depicted. The film was written by Ken Williams and is developed by the U.K. Film Council. Walters is currently filming the 50 Cent vehicle Get Rich Or Die Trying in New York and Toronto for helmer John Sheridan (In The Name Of The Father; My Left Foot). Lets hope Walters film career follows the Eminem route rather than, say, Glitter like Mariah Carey's.