Michael Ealy has just signed on to star in Gabriele Muccino's drama Seven Pounds. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Will Smith handpicked Ealy, to play the younger brother in the Escape Artists and Overbrook Entertainment production.

Seven Pounds is a story of a suicidal IRS agent (Smith) who sets out to make amends by assuming the identity of his younger brother (Ealy). His plans get complicated when he inadvertently falls in love. Rosario Dawson and Woody Harrelson are cast in the movie as well.

No word on when production for Seven Pounds will begin.

Seven Pounds was released December 19th, 2008 and stars Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Michael Ealy, Barry Pepper, Elpidia Carrillo, Robinne Lee, Joe Nunez. The film is directed by Gabriele Muccino.