MTV caught up with up-and-coming Hairspray co-star Elijah Kelley, who is auditioning for the role of Sammy Davis Jr. in a big screen biopic of the Rat Pack legend.

"I want to play a certain gentleman that proceeded myself in entertainment and music," the actor - who until now is probably best known for last year's Antonio Banderas flick Take the Lead - playfully told MTV this past weekend at the Hairspray press junket.

Kelly admitted that he is indeed competing with several actors -- reportedly including Andre 3000 -- who want to be the first to get a Davis biopic on the silver screen.

Hollywood is currently kicking around at least three different scripts, all revolving around the Candyman. 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."