The early and mid-1990s saw the meteoric rise in popularity of gritty urban films that gave audiences a glimpse into life in South Central Los Angeles (now called South L.A.) and New York including Boyz N the Hood, Menace to Society, Juice and South Central, among others.
Menace II Society, which debuted at the end of May of 1993, was made on a paltry budget of just $3.5 million with two unknown directors, twins Allen and Albert Hughes. The two high school dropouts were barely legal drinking ages when they finished writing and co-directing the picture; they had made their living directing music videos for the likes of Tupac Shakur. Ironically, the brothers cast Tupac in the film but a famous fight between Allen Hughes and 2Pac nixed the deal.
Despite the on-set tumult, the film opened up to critical and commercial success and quickly became a classic in urban America. While the project put the Hughes brothers onto the fast track to Hollywood success.
There were other breakout performances in the in Menace II Society, so let’s take a look at the major players in this seminal film from 20 years ago and see what they are up to now.
