Mos Def will play legendary rock n’ roller Chuck Berry in Sony BMG’s “Cadillac Records,” currently filming in New Jersey. Also joining the cast of is Gabrielle Union, who plays Geneva Wade, a girlfriend of Muddy Waters. Written and directed by Darnell Martin (”Their Eyes Were Watching God”), the film is set in 1950s Chicago and follows the turbulent but exciting lives of Leonard Chess, who founded Chess Records, and the label’s artists, including Waters, Little Walter and Howlin’ Wolf.Chess started the label with his younger brother, Phil, started the record company by travelling the south selling records out of the trunk of their Cadillac.

The two join a cast that includes Adrien Brody (Chess), Jeffrey Wright (Waters), and Beyonce Knowles (Etta James). Sony BMG’s Andrew Lack and Sofia Sondervan are producing. Knowles is an executive producer. Def’s film credits include the comedy “Be Kind Rewind” and the crime thriller “16 Blocks.” He was nominated for an Emmy and Golden Globe for his role in the HBO film, “Something the Lord Made.” His upcoming projects include “Keep Coming Back,” helmed by William H. Macy, and “Next Day Air.” He is represented by Paradigm and Garden Grown Entertainment.