UP & COMER COURTS POSSIBLE SAMMY ROLE

It's reported that "Hairspray" star Elijah Kelley is a front-runner in playing a young Sammy Davis, Jr. in an upcoming big screen biopic.

As he sings and dances in the upcoming musical (also starring John Travolta), he'll stars as black teen trying to overcome racism. But it won't be hard imagining him as a young Sammy.

“I want to play a certain gentleman that preceded myself in entertainment and music,” the actor - who until now is probably best known for last year’s Antonio Banderas flick “Take the Lead” - told MTV Movies.

Kelly hinted that he is competing with several other actors, reportedly including Andre 3000 of Outkast.

“There’s talks about it,” he said and alluded to a film race reminiscent of the recent Truman Capote biopic onslaught. “There are a couple projects going on right now.”

Click here for the full scoop on the projects.

In actuality, Hollywood is currently kicking around at least three different scripts, all revolving around Sammy. Denzel Washington and Brian Grazer are behind “In Black and White,” a film based on a 2003 biography; the Outkast singer is working on “Sammy and Kim,” about Davis’ controversial relationship with caucasian beauty Kim Novak; and “Hairspray” producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are working on a deal to land the rights for Davis’ 1965 biography “Yes, I Can.”