AceShowbiz -

Never tired to hone his acting skills, Nick Cannon has smoothly landed his next big screen role which seems to be a promising one. MTV reveals that the "Wild 'N Out" host is about to take leading part in a high-profile biopic about tennis legend Arthur Ashe and set to undergo intense tennis lessons in the months to come.

"To me, the guy is an icon - not only in sports, but as an African-American," Cannon commented upon explaining why he took the role. "With all Ashe did for the culture, and acting as a civil-rights leader, I believe it's time that story needs to be told."

Going further, the "Underclassman" star also informed that the not-yet-titled picture will be produced by Will Smith and use the "Walk the Line" formula of ending its depiction once the icon hits the approximate age of the actor portraying him.

"We wanna deal with the rise of Arthur Ashe, and how he got to be who he was," he said. "It'll be the young-man years."