Bille Woodruff ("Beauty Shop," "Addicted") will direct "Rollin’ Thunder," a feature film to be co-produced by Nelly and Nick Cannon, which will also be the first collaboration between Republic Records and independent film and television studio IM Global – a multi-picture co-financing and co-production pact that was announced on Monday, for a series of music-driven titles. 

"Rollin’ Thunder’ centers on a former bowling champ-turned ex-con who enters a bowling tournament on a journey to make amends with a local tycoon along with his estranged teenage daughter. Production on the comedy is set to begin this summer in Atlanta. 

"The evolution of Republic’s recent success has led us into this partnership with one of Hollywood’s most prolific companies, IM Global," said Republic founder/CEO Monte Lipman. "We have found incredible partners in Stuart and David, and collectively look forward to establishing a new paradigm for our respective businesses. With Nelly’s inspired ‘Rollin’ Thunder’ as our first project, I couldn’t be more excited about launching this venture together."

Added Schulhof, "This strategic partnership brings together exceptional talents in film and exceptional talents in music to create a unique and exciting platform. We look forward to working with Republic and all of their talented artists to develop, create and distribute some very exciting films."

No casting announcements yet; it doesn’t appear that Cannon or Nelly plan to star in the film.