ATL (film) - Cast

Cast

• T.I. as Rashad, the protagonist and narrator of the story. Chris Robinson had directed Harris' first music video four years prior to the creation of ATL, and was very impressed by his charisma and presence. "But on this film he came to the table, worked so hard and never tried to be T.I. — he became Rashad." On being a part of the film's production, Harris said he felt "it was the most honest representation of my culture and my city ever to be put on screen and the largest production to be ever filmed in Atlanta, so I somewhat obligated."
• Evan Ross as Ant, the film's second protagonist and Rashad's younger brother. ATL marks Ross' film debut, which he says actually made his first foray easier, since it was also co-star T.I.'s debut. "It’s his first movie too, and that has been good because we’ve been able to find ways of doing it together that has made it a lot easier for each of us."
• Lauren London as New New/Erin Garnett, Rashad's love interest and John Garnett's daughter. The character of New-New was loosely based on R&B group TLC's "T-Boz as a kid," said London. "I talked to her about my character... she explained to me how it was when she was young — the attitude and the flavor. And it’s funny, a lot of people say that I act like she used to act at the skating rink.” Director Robinson was impressed by London and "everything from her look, to the fact that she's new. And there's just so much truth in her, and she doesn't know how to lie yet as an actress. It was perfect."
• Jackie Long as Benjamin "Esquire" Gordon, a close friend of Rashad's. The character of Esquire was inspired by a friend of producer Austin's, who worked at a country club but would tell his friends he worked at a hot dog joint. "And you’d think his family had money, but he lived in the projects." Long auditioned a year prior to shooting the film at the director's home in California. "And he was a long shot but he came in and he became that character," said Robinson.
• Albert Daniels as Brooklyn, a New York transplant and one of Rashad's closest friends. Robinson had known Daniels since he was a fifteen-year-old production assistant on his music video shoots in New York. "He was an annoying little kid who got fired every time he was a P.A. because he was so inquisitive. But every time they fired him I'd bring him back because I felt like he always had something." Eight years later, Robinson ran into Daniels at a poetry reading in New York City, and told him to audition for the film. Daniels didn't have any money to get to Atlanta where he had to audition, so he hustled money doing poetry in subways, and bought a bus ticket to get there.
• Jason Weaver as Teddy, a close friend of Rashad's. Weaver impressed producer Austin in his previous film Drumline enough to get a role in ATL. The director felt that Weaver, the veteran of the young cast, and his experience would be helpful to the other cast members.
• Antwan "Big Boi" Patton as Marcus, the drug dealer Ant begins to work for. He serves as the antagonist of the film, as he plans to lure Ant from Rashad for his own profit. The film also marked Big Boi's film debut. As said by director Robinson in reference to Big Boi's performance, "he wasn't the normal kind of a bad guy. He put so much charisma and flavor behind it. We loved it."
• Nicholas Sheriff as Zero the leader of the gang D-Boys. Nick is a great actor and a pleasure to work with. As said by director Robinson in reference to Nick's performance, "he wasn't the normal type of gang member. He put so much charisma and attitude behind it.
• Keith David as John Garnett, Erin's father and Esquire's acquaintance. He is unaware of the fact that Esquire is lying about who he really is.
• Mykelti Williamson as Uncle George, Rashad and Ant's uncle and guardian. George means well but he is very stingy with his snacks so he keeps them locked up in his room or labels them "Property of George". When Rashad and Ant fall out about Ant's drug dealing, George says things to Rashad he doesn't mean but they later make up.
• April Clark as Tondie, Ant's girlfriend. At first, she was rude to Ant when he would try to talk to her. After he begins to become more popular, she begins to develop a crush on him and asks him to be her boyfriend.
• Khadijah Haqq as Veda, New New's friend and Star's twin sister.
• Malika Haqq as Star, New New's friend and Veda's twin sister.
• Lonette McKee as Priscilla Garnett, Erin's mother and John Garnett's wife.
• Markice Moore as Austin, Ant's friend and Marcus' cousin.
• La'Shontae Heckerd as Tonya, Rashad's ex-girlfriend.
• Tasha Smith as Gayle, Veda and Star's mother.
• Monique "Whyte Chocolate" Harris-Ford as Sexy Pizza Customer.
• Buffie Carruth as Big Booty Judy.
• Monica as Waffle House Waitress.