There is no film genre more enjoyable than the biopic. Chronicling the life and times of some of history’s most influential personalities, these movies play like visual scrapbooks into the lives of mortal gods and goddesses. From Spike Lee’s classic, Malcolm X to Angela Bassett’s memorable turn as Tina Turner in, What’s Love Got to do With It, the biopic format offers insight into the worlds of prominent figures in African American history. Since the recent successes of Ray and Notorious, several other features involving black music icons are in development. Here are five of our favorite legends in music and the status of their forthcoming big screen projects.
N.W.A.
Title: Straight Outta Compton
Details: Named after their 1988 classic album, the film about these hip-hop pioneers from the West Coast centers around the group’s historic rise and fall, including all of the juicy beefs in between. Original members, Dr. Dre and Ice Cube signed on to produce the film, along with Tomica Wright, Eazy-E’s widow.
Release Date: As of press time, the project is without a director.
RUN-DMC
Title: Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of RUN-DMC (Tentative)
Details: This project is tentatively titled, Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of RUN-DMC, and is based on Bill Adler’s memoir of the same name. Adler, the group’s former publicist, and Notorious screenwriter, Cheo Hodari Coker, are executive producing the project along with entertainment group, DJ Classicz.
Release Date: TBD
Tupac Shakur
Title: None
Details: Though several documentaries have been made about this rap icon, the actual major motion picture depicting his life is entangled in a serious legal battle. Morgan Creek alleges that they had a contract with Shakur’s Amaru Entertainment to bring ‘Pac’s story to the big screen. As the head of Amaru and owner of Shakur’s estate, Afeni Shakur has denied that any such deal was ever in place and has stated that no agreement has been reached.
Release Date: TBD
Bob Marley
Title: No Woman No Cry: My Life with Bob Marley (Tentative)
Details: Inspired by the late Rita Marley’s 2004 autobiography of the same name, this project already has a development, production and distribution deal inked with the Weinstein Company. The film will center around Rita’s romance with the reggae legend and activist. It has been rumored that Lauryn Hill is the top pick for Rita, with Stefan Marley (Marley’s grandson) playing the title role.
Release Date: TBD
James Brown
Title: None
Details: For a few years running, director Spike Lee has pledged to bring the “Godfather of Soul” to Hollywood with Wesley Snipes in the title role. Recently, at the Sundance Film Festival, Lee was quoted as saying that he is still dedicated to making his dream a reality. The biggest obstacle to Spike’s plan is Snipe’s pending jail term on tax evasion charges.
Release Date: TBD
