Hype Williams Says He Considered Jay-Z for a Leading Role in "Belly"

Photo Credit: Jamie McCarthy for Okayplayer

Jay-Z could've had a starring role in Belly.

During a panel at ComplexCon over the weekend, legendary director Hype Williams reconnected with Nas and T-Boz for the 20-year anniversary of Belly.

Hype revealed some fun facts about the making of the movie, saying that Jay-Z was seriously considered to play DMX's role as Tommy.

"Everybody pressed for it to be Hov," Hype said during the interview. "But at the time, Hove didn't pop yet. He wasn't Jay-Z." He continued, "We were working with Def Jam and it was logical for it to be him.”

At one point, Hype also announced that there will be a re-release of the Belly soundtrack with new songs ahead of the film's theatrical re-release in 2019.

READ: Watch Hype Williams’ Full Red Bull Music Festival Lecture

Check out some clips of the moment below.

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