Rapper Lil' Zane, who contributed a song to the "Next Friday" soundtrack and whose debut album, "Young World: The Future," is in stores this week, has just landed a role in the upcoming flick "Doctor Dolittle 2."

Zane's reps at Priority Records told MTV News that the Atlanta-based teenager has been cast in the sequel to the 1998 Eddie Murphy vehicle and will portray the boyfriend of one of Dolittle's daughters.

Aside from the movie's veterinary bent, one of the major subplots will involve Murphy's and Zane's characters going head-to-head, as Dolittle attempts to undermine the advances of his daughter's suitor.

Steve Carr, who directed "Next Friday," has been tapped to helm "Doctor Dolittle 2," which is expected to start filming in the fall for release on the big screen next summer.

In the meantime, Lil' Zane makes his cinematic debut alongside Busta Rhymes, Anna Paquin, F. Murray Abraham, and Sean Connery in "Finding Forrester," due out on Christmas Day (see "Lil' Zane Works On Sean Connery Film, Debut Album").

Zane recently chatted with MTV News about working alongside Connery and admitted that it was actually a relative who hipped the rapper to the actor's Oscar-winning credentials.

"I'm crazy excited," Zane said of the upcoming film. "But I didn't know who Sean Connery was. Like, I knew who he was, but I didn't know how much I should appreciate being in his movie.

"When I went and told my grandmother [she got excited]," he continued. "She basically lives at home. She's not old, but she's kind of elderly. When I told her, and she never moves, when I told her [I was working with] Sean Connery, she almost did a back flip." [RealVideo]

Lil' Zane can currently be seen in the video for "Callin' Me," the first single off his "Young World" LP.

For a full-length interview with Lil' Zane, check out the MTV News Online feature "Lil' Zane: Hey Young World."

• Lil' Zane

• Lil' Zane

Rapper Lil' Zane has backed out of appearing in a commercial for the Tommy Hilfiger fashion line, honoring the current Screen Actors Guild strike against shooting TV or radio advertisements.

The spot featuring Zane was part of a planned $4 million ad campaign for Hilfiger, and despite withdrawing from the shooting, the rapper says he hopes to continue working with the company if and when the strike is settled.

"I was flattered that Tommy Hilfiger, one of the biggest clothing companies in the world, would want me to participate and be part of their commercial," Zane said in a statement.

On April 19, the Joint Board of Directors for the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) voted to "withhold performing services and auditioning for English and Spanish language television commercial (on film or tape) and recorded radio commercials."

The strike, which arose because of a pay dispute between the union and several advertisers and advertising agencies, began on May 1.

Despite the free publicity the Hilfiger spot would bring, Zane is being particularly mindful of the S.A.G. strike because of his plans for a possible film career.

The 17-year-old Atlanta native has just completed work on the upcoming flick, "Finding Forrester," which also features Sean Connery and Busta Rhymes (see "Lil' Zane Works On Sean Connery Film, Debut Album").

Lil' Zane's debut album, "Young World: The Future," is due out on August 22, and he has already released a video for "Callin' Me," the first single from the record, which features an appearance by the R&B outfit 112.

• Lil' Zane

After contributing a song to the soundtrack for Ice Cube's hit movie "Next Friday," 17-year-old rapper Lil' Zane has already started his own acting resume.

Zane, whose debut album, "Young World: The Future," is due out this summer, has secured a role in the upcoming film "Finding Forrester." Sean Connery stars in the movie, which examines the friendship between a teenage African-American boy and an elderly novelist. Young Zane has been cast in a supporting role as the teen's best friend.

Previous to scoring the part in "Forrester," Zane had already begun honing his acting skills with some local stage work in his hometown of Atlanta in a play called "Mad Heart" as well as an appearance on the WB network's sitcom "The Parkers."

The Atlanta native is relatively new to the professional ranks of the rap game, and he has enjoyed some early attention with his song "Money Stretch" from the "Next Friday" soundtrack. Despite his acting aspirations, Zane told MTV News that music remains his focus.

"I don't wanna rush [my acting career]," Zane said. "I'm true to this music thing. I don't want people to feel like, 'oh, he's just one of them other Hollywood stars [who's] just gonna get in this music [thing].'"

"No man, I'm true to this music thing. I study MTV, I study all the programs that show videos and show interviews and show artists. If it happens [quickly], then it's gonna happen, but I wasn't dwelling on just being a actor or trying to be in no movies." [RealAudio]

Whether behind a microphone or in front of a camera, Lil' Zane is putting his all into whatever he does and hopes that people will feel both of his artistic expressions.

Zane said. "So that's the difference, and I'm still working on getting that right [with my acting]. 'Cause I don't wanna be one of them rappers that jump up in that movie and y'all be like, 'he should stick to rapping.' I don't wanna be one of them guys. That's why I ain't trying to do it too fast." [RealAudio]