US rapper 50 Cent has begun shooting a gangland movie which is set in London and Manchester.

Dead Man Running, which also stars actors Brenda Blethyn and Danny Dyer, tells the story of an ex-criminal who is forced to raise $150,000 in 24 hours to pay off the rapper's loan shark.

The script, written and directed by Alex De Rakoff, follows him from dog tracks in East London to the Manchester drug scene.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, footballers Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole are both named as executive producers on the project.

As previously reported, 50 Cent has delayed the release of his new album 'Before I Self Destruct' until early 2009.

(by Jason Gregory)