'Wanted' and 'Watchman' Employ Common Sense

Zap2It.com | May 8, 2007

Common in 'Smokin' Aces'

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Co-stars will include Jolie, Freeman, Reeves and Whitaker

Actor-rapper Common has signed on for supporting roles in Universal's "Wanted" and in Fox Searchlight's "The Night Watchman."

In "Wanted," Common (his birth certificate reads "Lonnie Rashid Lynn") will play Gunsmith, a supervillain who helps train a young assassin (James McAvoy) when the other man discovers that he's inherited some of his late father's killing skills. Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman co-star in the comic book adaptation, set to be directed by Timur Bekmambetov.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Common will also play a drug dealer posing as an undercover cop in James Ellroy's "The Night Watchman" (a film the other trade paper thinks has been retitled "Night Watch"). The David Ayer-directed film features Keanu Reeves as a disgraced cop going head-to-head with his mentor (Forest Whitaker) to root out corruption in the LAPD. Hugh Laurie and Chris Evans co-star.

Common made his big screen acting debut in the ensemble "Smokin' Aces." He'll next be seen with Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe in "American Gangster."

The artist formerly known as Common Sense will release his latest album, "Finding Forever," in July.