We all know that Ving Rhames has some serious acting chops, but that he hasn’t been able to use them with roles in films like Day of the Dead and I Now Pronounce You, Chuck and Larry. But, it is not to late to excercise those abilities: he's just signed on to play the lead role in the stage to screen adaptation of Master Harold… and the Boys, the Athol Fugard play. It is now Rhames’ time to shine, he has 12 films in post-production and one completed, at least one of them has to be good, doesn't it?

Rhames will take on the role of a dignified waiter who befriends a young child (played by Freddie Highmore) who he becomes a father figure to. Golden Horn (that is the South African Emmy) winner Patrick Mofokeng will co-star as Willie, a more laid-back waiter who is into ballroom dancing.

HR reports that Master Harold… and the Boys is being directed by first timer Lonny Price. Price will shoot in South Africa. Nicky Rebelo will adapt the play for the big screen and will attempt to [extend] the original play to take in more action and expand the setting.”

As a fan of Rhames for some time (really, lets be honest, after the Dawn of the Dead remake), it's thrilling to see him sink his teeth into something more substantial. This could be just the tear-jerker his career needs to jumpstart him into serious actor territory.