Jimi Hendrix Biopic, Starring Andre 3000, To Start Filming In 3 Weeks

Andre 3000 is ready for his close-up. The Outkast rapper is starring in "All Is By My Side," a Jimi Hendrix biopic that spent years on the shelf, reports HitFix. Now, it looks like the John Ridley film is finally starting production.

The biopic will mainly focus on the period during which the legendary guitarist recorded his seminal 1967 album "Are You Experienced," which is often considered to be one of the greatest rock albums ever produced. The film will trace the beginning of Hendrix's career, from being discovered in a New York club by Linda Keith (a model and girlfriend of Keith Richards at the time) to eventually meeting manager/producer Chas Chandler, who helped launch his career.

Ridley, who also penned the script, will begin production on "All Is By My Side" in three weeks in Ireland, with a six week production schedule mapped out.

The director/screenwriter most recently scripted the Tuskegee Airmen film "Red Tails" starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Terrence Howard. Meanwhile, Andre 3000, credited as his birth name Andre Benjamin, has starred in "Be Cool," opposite John Travolta and Uma Thurman, as well as 2005's "Four Brothers" with Mark Wahlberg.

PHOTOS: Summer Movie Preview 2012