R&B heartthrob Usher Raymond has recently revealed that he's been cast as boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard in an upcoming film titled Hands of Stone. He's already begun training for the movie, which will also star Robert De Niro and Gael García Bernal.
"I'm in preparation for a very incredible role," Usher said. "If you guys see me running around London that's what it is. If you see me in the corners boxing, I'm doing that while working on this album." He also announced the title of his upcoming record: The Shanterance.
The film focuses on retired professional Panamanian boxer Roberto Durán, who was nicknamed "Manos de Piedra" which means "Stone Fists," although the literal translation is "Hands of Stone." De Niro is cast as legendary boxing trainer Ray Arcell, who coached 18 world champions including Durán.
Usher's seventh studio album The Shanterance is slated for release in May and he'll start filming for Hands of Stone later this year.
Here's his latest music video for the new track "Climax."
Source: Newsbeat, Photo: UsherWorld