The independent film production company Fox Searchlight admires George Tillman Jr.'s talents and has always wanted to find an opportunity to collaborate with Tillman on a film. Because the life story of The Notorious BIG is very contagious, Tillman proposed to put Notorious BIG's life on the big screen.
Fox Searchlight hired Notorious BIG’s mother, Valetta Wallace, Notorious BIG’s former music manager Mark Pitts, and the bragging father to be the producers of the film. Ricky Rock Byswood Co-wrote the script with Chen Hodge Kirk.
At the beginning of October 2007, the film began a long casting work. In order to find suitable actors to star in Notorious BIG, Fox Searchlight has launched a nationwide audition campaign. When Jamal Ullard walked into the casting room to greet Ms. Veletta, Ms. Veletta thought he was her son, Notorious BIG, and director George Tillman Jr. thought he would not perform. Finally, Jamal Ullad got the opportunity to play Notorious BIG at the insistence of Ms. Villeta
.
