The upcoming actor, it seems has been taking his new acting gig too seriously.

50 cents, the rapper, 34, in order to play a cancer-stricken football player in Things Fall Apart, due out next year, has removed his tattoos for the upcoming flicks and has reportedly dropped more than 50 lbs. - slimming down from 214 to 160.

Photos posted on ThisIs50. com show a gaunt 50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, with sunken cheeks, a result a liquid diet and strict exercise regimen for more than two months.

The rapper will be kicking off his U. S. tour Friday in Cleveland. In addition to Things Fall Apart, he is costarring with Chace Crawford in the drama Twelve.

While also losing 6 inches from his waist, 50 reportedly dropped down to 160 pounds from 214. He ditched his muscles during a nine-week training session, comprised of a liquid diet and daily walks on a treadmill for up to three hours.

Tony Yayo spoke to MTV News lately about his boss' commitment to his burgeoning acting career. "50 doesn't party, he doesn't drink. For his new film, the guy was, like, 130 pounds", Yayo said. "He was running from the airport to the hotel. And I was like, 'Man, he has the three D's: desire, determination and [direction]".

This isn't the first time that 50 Cent has lost weight for a movie role. Two years ago, during an MTV News interview, the rapper spoke about shedding his muscle mass and growing out his hair, into a mini-afro, for a part in "Microwave Park."

50 Cent has begun to pack the pounds back on in anticipation of his next tour, kicking off this weekend.