Hip hop star T.I. has landed a dream film role alongside some of the biggest names in Hollywood.

The rapper may be better known for his beats but he has been steadily building up a solid portfolio in films and it seems his talent in front of the camera has not gone unnoticed in Tinsel Town. As such T.I. is to star in a new film which could propel him into the super league in terms of acting stardom.

T.I. will take up a role in the forthcoming film American Gangster, which is rumoured to be ready for release in the US next year. The movie is being produced and directed by one of the biggest names in the film industry, Ridley Scott, who has a back-catalogue of international blockbusters which stretches back over three decades. Scott made his big breakthrough in 1979 with the release of sci-fi epic Alien and went on to make numerous big-budget classics such as Blade Runner, Hannibal and Gladiator.

American Gangster will see Scott reunited with the star of Gladiator, Russell Crowe, who will take one of the leads alongside one of Hollywood's other most bankable stars, Denzel Washington. Both Crowe and Washington have made some of the biggest movies of the past decade and will certainly be able to give T.I. plenty of advice on acting, should he wish to take it!

T.I. will take up a relatively minor role in the film, reports AllHipHop.com, playing the nephew of Washington's character. Nonetheless, this will provide T.I. with plenty of exposure and if all goes well it could significantly enhance his already burgeoning reputation in Hollywood.

Hip hop fans, however, will be hoping that the success does not go to T.I.'s head too much and will be hoping he does not abandon his music career for a prolonged stay in the acting profession. Other stars have managed to combine successful music careers with top acting roles, with Eminem being a good example. The star has continued his phenomenal worldwide success alongside his critically acclaimed film performance in 8 Mile.

American Gangster is the true story of Frank Lucas (Washington), a drug baron in 1970s Harlem who smuggled heroin into the country in the coffins of US soldiers returning from Vietnam. Crowe will play detective Richie Roberts, who is tasked with the mission of bringing Lucas to justice.