50 Cent's 'Things Fall Apart' Premieres In Miami Next Week Fif reportedly lost 50 pounds for Mario Van Peebles-directed film. Published by DjLanre

It may have taken 50 Cent losing pounds to be recognized as a weighty actor. The film "Things Fall Apart," which stars 50 Cent as a college football player stricken with cancer, will make its world premiere March 5 at the Miami International Film Festival. 

Last year, 50 Cent drew headlines over his commitment to playing the role of Deon Barnes, a University of Michigan football player whose hopes of an NFL career are derailed by a cancer diagnosis. For the role, 50 Cent reportedly lost more than 50 pounds. Stills from the film, directed by Mario Van Peebles, revealed that the rapper looked shockingly emaciated and nearly unrecognizable. 

"50 Cent's physical transformation combined with Mario's vision for the film kept the story fresh, gritty and powerful," Miami International Film Festival Executive Director Jaie Laplante told AllHipHop.com. "Fans in Miami will have a unique opportunity to see the film well before the rest of the world does." 

The film also lightened the Queens rapper's pockets, since besides writing the script, he produced and financed the picture himself too, via his Cheetah Vision Films production company. Director Van Peebles also acts in the film along with Ray Liotta, who plays Barnes' doctor, and Lynn Whitfield. 

50 is taking the actor/rapper/mogul tag seriously. He recently signed on to star in a crime drama called "Freelancers," which is going to be directed by Jessy Terrero. On the music side, the rapper is getting the buzz going on his forthcoming album, Black Magic, releasing a couple of new songs ("When I Come Back," "Run Up on Me" freestyle) online to whet fans' appetites. 50 also recently followed in the footsteps of Dr. Dre and launched his own high-end headphone line called Sleek by 50 Cent. Source/Mtv.com