50 CENT, UNIVERSAL SUED BY YAYO'S TEEN VICTIM: Rapper accused of promoting 'gangsta lifestyle.' Plus, artist in talks to join indie film.

The 14-year-old boy who was allegedly assaulted by associates of 50 Cent has joined his mother in a lawsuit against the rapper and his label, Universal, for promoting a "gangsta lifestyle."

Filed Wednesday by James Rosemond and his mother Cynthia Reed, the lawsuit claims Universal Music Group and its labels Interscope Records, G-Unit Records and Shady Records are ultimately responsible for the assault because they encourage artists to pursue violent, criminal lifestyles.

Rosemond says he was assaulted on a Manhattan sidewalk in March 2007 by four men, including G-Unit rapper Tony Yayo and his employee Lowell Fletcher. The lawsuit claims Rosemond was targeted because he was wearing a T-shirt bearing the name of Czar Entertainment, a management company owned by his father. Czar represents The Game, a former G-Unit rapper who fell out with the group and had become a rival.

The lawsuit names 50 Cent -- whose real name is Curtis Jackson – Yayo, Fletcher, Violator Management and Violator CEO Chris Lighty.

"The members of G-Unit, including defendants Yayo and 50 Cent, encouraged, sanctioned, approved and condoned its members threatening violence, and or engaging in violent acts in furtherance of its business," the lawsuit said. The attack on Rosemond was intended to "promote and maintain Yayo and 50 Cent's 'gangsta' image," which was "promoted, marketed and advertised" by record labels.

Yayo, whose real name is Marvin Bernard, pleaded guilty to harassment in February and was sentenced to 10 days of community service. Fletcher pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child and was sentenced to nine months in jail.

"Because of the injuries suffered by James, and the lack of remorse and arrogance displayed by Yayo, G-Unit and all named in the lawsuit, I feel obligated as a mother to bring this suit and obtain justice for my child," Reed stated. "Even though Yayo pleaded guilty in Criminal Court to harassing my son and Fletcher pleaded guilty to endangering my son, neither Yayo nor G-Unit members have ever apologized to my son or me."

In other 50 Cent news, Variety reports that he's in talks to join the cast of "Spectacular Regret," an indie film about four Los Angelenos struggling to overcome past events.

Fifty will play a death row inmate whose imminent execution has made him a cause celebre.

Confirmed cast members include Danny Huston, John Ortiz and Kelli Garner. Financed through private equity, the film will shoot in July in L.A.

The drama was scripted by actor Joshua Leonard, who will make his dramatic feature debut as director. Leonard lugged around a camera as one of the stars of "The Blair Witch Project."