Producer Will Packer To Do Kemba Smith Story

Will Packer, producer of the box office hits 'Stomp The Yard' and 'This Christmas,' has acquired the rights to produce the dramatic real life story of Kemba Smith. Through his production company, Rainforest Films, the young film maverick plans to produce the yet untitled project in 2009.

Kemba Smith, the only child of professional parents, led a protective middle class upbringing in Richmond, Virginia. She had no criminal record prior to going off to Hampton University where she would fall in love with Peter Hall, who unbeknownst to her, was the leader of a $4 million crack cocaine ring and one of the FBI's 15 Most Wanted.

At the age of 23, she was taken away from her newborn baby to unjustly serve 24 years in jail under harsh drug mandatory sentencing laws, which were harsher than that of rape or manslaughter.

Kemba, however, was a victim of physical and mental abuse. Being minimally involved with the crimes, Kemba was still sentenced to the full extent of the law.

The story made headlines in 2000 after Bill Clinton granted her clemency from a 24.5 year drug conspiracy charge.

Will Packer is currently in pre-production on three films; 'Obsessed,' starring Beyonce Knowles and Idris Elba; 'Phenom' starring Chris Brown and Henry Simmons; and 'Bone Deep' starring Elba and Matt Dillon.

If you were going by physical appearance, Jurnee Smollett of 'The Great Debaters' comes to mind.

If not her, there's Lauren London, Kandyse McClure of SciFi Channel's 'Battlestar Galactica,' blast from the past Reagan Gomez-Preston, who was last seen in 'Beauty Shop' with Queen Latifah, or maybe Keshia Knight-Pulliam.

I like where Packer is going as a producer.

This is one guy who's looking to put out some quality work on the big screen.

There are a few actresses strong enough to play the part, but who do you think should play Kemba?

As far as playing Peter Hall, there are plenty of guys that can play that role, but it's Kemba's part that will be an attractive role to land.