Tupac Biopic Finds New Director In Benny Boom

[Remy Danton]

With the clock ticking on Morgan Creek’s Tupac Shakur movie, the company is in the midst of hiring music video and commercial director Benny Boom to helm.

The company, which has been working for years to bring the late rapper’s story to the big screen, is operating with a sense of urgency given that the music rights will revert back to Shakur’s mother, Afeni Shakur, at the end of the year if the film isn’t in production by then. Carl Franklin was poised to direct as recently as the summer, picking up the baton after John Singleton dropped out in April and trashed Morgan Creek in the process.

“The people involved aren’t really respectful of the legacy of Tupac,” Singleton wrote on Instagram, promising to make his own rival project.
But things continued to move forward until Franklin quietly exited the project amid a fresh round of intrigue that surfaced about a month ago. In late October, producers Emmett/Furla filed a $10 million lawsuit against Morgan Creek, saying the company breached a co-production agreement by selecting a lead actor and setting a budget and production schedule without Emmett/Furla’s approval.

It wasn’t the first time the project had become entangled in a lawsuit. The studio sued Afeni Shakur for the music rights to the film.

Given the success of another rap biopic, Universal’s Straight Outta Compton (more than $200 million worldwide), a Tupac film was seen as particularly attractive. Tupac’s life story – which includes his rise to multiplatinum-selling artist and his mysterious death – is seen as one of the most tempting.

The Tupac character has appeared twice in film — in 2009’s Notorious and Straight Outta Compton — both supporting roles played by Anthony Mackie and newcomer Marcc Rose, respectively.

Boom has previously directed two features – Summit’s 2009 action comedy Next Day Air and the made for home video action movie S.W.A.T.: Firefight – but has made a name for himself in the commercial and music scene.

Boom won video director the year at the BET Awards for his work with artists such as NIcki Minaj, Ll’l Wayne, and Meek Mill. Source: Billboard.

Tupac Biopic Finds New Director In Benny Boom

 

[Remy Danton]

boomlifeI am blessed with the opportunity of a lifetime. Telling the story of this revolutionary, artist, visionary, genius, soldier! I will make him proud and uphold the legacy.

 

[NV-ME]

met benny at sundance years ago when he promoted next day air. seems like a good dude. hope he knocks this out

 

[Remy Danton]

im keeping my fingers cross on this.

 

[zayk35]

Hell shouda just got F Gary Gray ..

 

[backbreaker65]

With the clock ticking on Morgan Creek’s Tupac Shakur movie, the company is in the midst of hiring music video and commercial director Benny Boom to helm.

The company, which has been working for years to bring the late rapper’s story to the big screen, is operating with a sense of urgency given that the music rights will revert back to Shakur’s mother, Afeni Shakur, at the end of the year if the film isn’t in production by then. Carl Franklin was poised to direct as recently as the summer, picking up the baton after John Singleton dropped out in April and trashed Morgan Creek in the process.

“The people involved aren’t really respectful of the legacy of Tupac,” Singleton wrote on Instagram, promising to make his own rival project.
But things continued to move forward until Franklin quietly exited the project amid a fresh round of intrigue that surfaced about a month ago. In late October, producers Emmett/Furla filed a $10 million lawsuit against Morgan Creek, saying the company breached a co-production agreement by selecting a lead actor and setting a budget and production schedule without Emmett/Furla’s approval.

It wasn’t the first time the project had become entangled in a lawsuit. The studio sued Afeni Shakur for the music rights to the film.

Given the success of another rap biopic, Universal’s Straight Outta Compton (more than $200 million worldwide), a Tupac film was seen as particularly attractive. Tupac’s life story – which includes his rise to multiplatinum-selling artist and his mysterious death – is seen as one of the most tempting.

The Tupac character has appeared twice in film — in 2009’s Notorious and Straight Outta Compton — both supporting roles played by Anthony Mackie and newcomer Marcc Rose, respectively.

Boom has previously directed two features – Summit’s 2009 action comedy Next Day Air and the made for home video action movie S.W.A.T.: Firefight – but has made a name for himself in the commercial and music scene.

Boom won video director the year at the BET Awards for his work with artists such as NIcki Minaj, Ll’l Wayne, and Meek Mill. Source: Billboard.

Tupac Biopic Finds New Director In Benny Boom

Those are 50 cent business partners, they are along with 50 cent are doing the "BMF" movie as well.

 

[Dirty D]

It's almost guaranteed that once 2016 hits Afeni will start shopping the music rights around and reset the development of this movie back to square one. Morgan Creek can start shooting to say they held up their end to keep them but when you haven't even announced a lead actor that isn't credible.