Atlanta has a bit part in 'Notorious'

Barrow and cast members say they were committed to humanizing Wallace — he was gunned down in Los Angeles in 1997 — and Tupac Shakur, who was killed less than a year earlier.

The two rappers shared a mutual respect and bond in the film despite landing on opposite sides of the deadly feud.

Here are comments from Barrow and cast members on "Notorious."

Wayne Barrow on the film, Biggie and Shakur: "These men lived and died by the elements. I have no idea why they are gone," he says. "The whole film has to be from BIG's perspective. I can only tell the audience what he lived. It's about hip-hop, but it's not a hip-hop movie. It has a place among the classics. It's like 'Scarface' or 'Goodfellas.' "

Jamal Woolard on playing Notorious B.I.G.: "I could relate to him but the mistakes Big made in the movie I'm trying not to make in my life. Playing him I had to put in my mind 'Chris,' the man. Not 'B.I.G.' Not 'Notorious.' You see in the movie that he never wants to be alone. I studied the penguin on Batman to get his wobble when he walked. I learned his lean when he got too heavy. I learned his octaves and his Marlon Brando style of talking."

Anthony Mackie on playing Tupac Shakur. The Julliard alumnus played Tupac in an off-Broadway play in 2001:" I feel like I met Tupac," says Mackie. "He was prolific. Pac was like a stray bullet. He saw the goal, but he didn't know how to get there."

Derek Luke on playing Sean "Puffy" Combs: "I was skeptical coming into the project because number one, Puff is still living. I called his mother, Mrs. Combs, when I accepted the role to learn about his work ethic and his perseverance," says Luke. "I think it's important to break down who he was [before he became a mogul]. Most people know him for his flamboyance and swagger. He is one of the great entrepreneurs."