Sony BMG Film has chosen Darnell Martin (Their Eyes Were Watching God) to direct Cadillac Records, a feature about the world of rock and roll in 1950s Chicago, from her own script.

Production is set to begin later this year on location in Chicago, with Sofia Sondervan and Andrew Lack producing.

The film will follow the lives of some of America's musical legends, including Muddy Waters, Leonard Chess, Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf and Elvis Presley. Sony BMG expects some of its musical artists to play lead roles.

Sony BMG Film was established in 2005 to develop, finance, and produce music-related theatrical films.

Its latest production, Reggaeton, a co-production with Jennifer Lopez's Nuyorican Films, is scheduled to be released in October.

Two other documentaries from the company will be released later this year; Asger Leth's The Ghosts of Cite Soleil and Julien Temple's Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten.

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