S. Samuel
Fans hoping to pre-order tickets for a much-anticipated Tupac Shakur biopic are going to have to wait a bit longer as new reports claim the project has hit a significant snag.
According to acclaimed movie director Antoine Fuqua, he is still on board for the project, however, he revealed there is no script in place.
There were various start dates also mentioned for a biopic about late rapper Tupac Shakur, and while that project vanished from sight, Fuqua claims the project is fully funded, but still suffering from script complications. “It was announced too soon,” Fuqua lamented. “I have a deal for Tupac, but the script is not there yet, and its being worked on. Somehow someone started talking about it, it got out there and went crazy, but it was always a situation of, let’s make sure we have a great script, and get it right.” When asked what the story would deal with, Fuqua promises a focus on, “the last few days, that trip from LA to Vegas, and where his head was during that journey.” (The Playlist)
Back in summer 2011, Atlanta rapper Soulja Boy said Pac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, motivated him to consider reading for the role.
“How that whole thing came about, I was doing the ‘Juice’ mixtape and that got out. I’m with William Morris Agency and they sent me an email, the subject was ‘Tupac,’ so I clicked on it,” Soulja Boy explained in an interview. “They were interested in having me for the role. I told them I was going to let them know. After that, I got this offer for this part for this movie called ‘Officer Down’ so I’ve been here in Connecticut [shooting]. I was on set with this actor Stephen Dorff and he was like, ‘Yeah man, you should do that [play Tupac].’ This is like really my first big movie, Lionsgate Films in theaters where people are going to see me acting. I was kind of hesitant [to audition for the Tupac film] but they told me that Tupac’s mom is on board with the movie. That was one of the things that I was like, ‘Hey, as long as his moms is cool with it I can consider it.'” (The Boom Box)
A couple years ago, reports emerged online claiming director John Singleton would helm the flick.
Now a biopic is in the works about the rapper’s life and John Singleton, who was rumored to direct a film about N.W.A.’s career last month, is now slated to direct the film. Singleton takes over for Antoine Fuqua, who left the project to work on Hunter Killer. The move makes sense considering Singleton directed Tupac in 1993’s Poetic Justice. No start date for production has been announced. (Paste Magazine)
Director Peter Spirer, who released Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel years back, previously talked to SOHH and gave his take on buzz behind the biopic.
“I remember Anthony Mackie in Notorious and he’s a pretty good actor but I didn’t even know he was playing 2Pac. It was so weird. I was like, ‘Is he supposed to be 2Pac? This ain’t working.’ I don’t know. 2Pac is such an iconic and almost cult-like figure now, I tell you man, to even want to play that role you’re going to need a lot of confidence. That’s a tough one. If I was an actor, that’s one of the roles I would want to stay away from.” (SOHH)
