socialbettyeldclub: Tupac Shakur Biopic Is Back On Track

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Tupac Shakur Biopic Is Back On Track

Movie was caught up in lawsuits between producers and Tupac's mom, Afeni Shakur.
By Jayson Rodriguez

Tupac Shakur
Photo: Ron Galella/ WireImage

Filming for the much-ballyhooed Tupac Shakur biopic can finally begin.

The producers of the movie and the late rapper's mother have reached a settlement over their creative differences that will allow the production to begin, according to Reuters.

For two years, Afeni Shakur and Morgan Creek Productions have been tangled in litigation as each side accused the other of sabotaging the project.

In 2009, Morgan Creek filed a lawsuit against Shakur claiming she agreed to terms with the company but was using the terms "as a floor to pursue further negotiations" with other parties. Shakur countersued, alleging producers were interfering with negotiations as she and Morgan Creek had not reached final terms.

Prior to reaching a settlement, sources said Shakur met with the project's director, Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day"), and he assured the rapper's mother — who oversees the Tupac Shakur estate — his vision aligns with hers. Reportedly, as a part of the settlement Afeni Shakur will receive an executive-producer credit, a share of the film's profits and a flat fee for agreeing to the deal.

Casting for the lead role is set to begin immediately. As was the case with "Notorious," the biopic of Shakur friend-turned-rival Notorious B.I.G., Fuqua will hold a national call for actors to play the fiery rapper.

Last year, the director said in an interview that he felt an unknown actor should take on the role. "That's the goal, I want to discover someone new," Fuqua explained. "I want to discover a lot of new people if I can. Obviously I'm going to have to put some people in it that you know, just because actors have different skills. I want to go to the streets and find him anywhere he might be in the world."

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