Universal thinking of Def Jam Biopic with Michael B and and Jonah Hill

[MartyMcFly]

Universal Mulling Def Jam Records Biopic Following Success Of 'Compton'

Following the huge critical and financial success of the N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton, we’re hearing that Universal is considering another high profile deep dive into hip hop history, this time the story of Def Jam Recordings and its co-founder Russell Simmons. We’re also hearing Michael B. Jordan and Jonah Hill mentioned as possibles for Simmons and Def Jam co-founder Rick Rubin respectively, though there are no deals in place at this time.

The film would be based on 2002’s Life and Def: Sex, Drugs, Money, + God, co-written by Simmons and Nelson George, which chronicles Simmons’ career, particularly the creation (with Rubin) of the legendary hip hop label that defined rap in the 80s. We’re told it would focus on the early years of Def Jam, and how hip hop grew from an underground sensation into a dominant and pivotal voice of culture and change.

Things are still very preliminary, but time is certainly ripe for the project. Not only looking at Compton, Fox’s Empire and the Broadway hit Hamilton demonstrate handily that there’s heavy interest in rap and the rap music business.



Simmons got his start in rap early, managing Kurtis Blow and soon after, being instrumental in the rise and incredible success of his brother Joseph’s group Run-DMC. In 1984 Simmons and Rubin launched Def Jam in Rubin’s NYU dorm room, going on to foster the careers of some of the most successful rap artists of all time, among them LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, EPMD, Warren G and Nate Dogg, and Jay-Z. A fictionalized version of the label was the subject of the cult 1985 film Krush Groove.

I love the idea of Michael as Russell and Jonah as Rick. Depending on how deep into the def jam story they go though, I'm not sure how much drama there would be in it though.

 

[23Barrettcity]

Universal Mulling Def Jam Records Biopic Following Success Of 'Compton'



I love the idea of Michael as Russell and Jonah as Rick. Depending on how deep into the def jam story they go though, I'm not sure how much drama there would be in it though.

As long as josh gad isn't in it

 

[MartyMcFly]

As long as josh gad isn't in it

Nah they want Jonah so they can say "academy award nominated..."

 

[Big Boss]

 

[MartyMcFly]

So who plays run dmc and LL and the Beasties? Depending on how big this movie goes scope wise, we could see two decades of mcs

 

[Black White Sox Hat]

I'm definitely with this

A better story than str8 outta compton easy

 

[AnotherRoute]

The one thing I like about NWA is they were unknown actors it made it easier to believe it was them

 

[Tae]

Where will they end the movie though? Def Jam had a pretty impressive run from the mid 80s until the early 2000s.

 

[Mr210]

Please no

 

[mr x]

Michael as Russ

 

[bobbiewishbone]

OK

 

[satam55]

Universal Mulling Def Jam Records Biopic Following Success Of 'Compton'



I love the idea of Michael as Russell and Jonah as Rick. Depending on how deep into the def jam story they go though, I'm not sure how much drama there would be in it though.

I'd love too see them do a movie on late 90's/early 00's Def Jam.

 

[MartyMcFly]

Where will they end the movie though? Def Jam had a pretty impressive run from the mid 80s until the early 2000s.

That's what I'm trying to figure out. I mean once Rick leaves where do you get your drama? With Russell and lyor and Kevin?

 

[AnonymityX1000]

I want an east coast Straight Outta Compton but I don't want to see this story particularly.
It would be dope to chronicle an MC or group that almost made it. That is seriously the NYC Hip Hop story. I bet there were a strong 1 million MCs, DJ and producers in the 5 boroughs who took themselves seriously as a Hip hop artists in the 90s.

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

Who plays Cam'Ron?