50 Cent wanted to work with 'Kay Corleone'

NEW YORK, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- A "Morning Glory" producer says U.S. rapper 50 Cent was eager to work on the movie with Diane Keaton, in part, because she co-starred in the "Godfather" films.

In the new big-screen comedy, Keaton plays the anchor of a fictional morning news program who sings along with the hip-hop icon in a segment of the show to boost ratings.

"We were talking about who would be the complete, 180-degree person to play opposite Diane and Fitty popped up immediately. ... We reached out to his record label and told him what the movie was about and he got to work with the original Kay Corleone (from the 'Godfather' movies), and there was no hesitation. He came back and said it was something he'd love to do and he saw a script and it all came together very, very quickly," producer Bryan Burk said about casting the hip-hop star at a recent New York news conference. "It was a dream, great experience. ... It was a pleasure working with him."

"Diane was really up for doing anything," added producer Sherryl Clark. "She learned the song, she was really excited to sing with him. She was like, 'Just throw me into anything.' ... She was great."

Co-starring Harrison Ford, Rachel McAdams and Jeff Goldblum, "Morning Glory" is in theaters now.