Looks like former journo, Cheo Hodari Coker (Premiere, L.A. Times) has parlayed his “Notorious” script, about slain rapper The Notorious B.I.G., into a career writing hip-hop film biopics. The scribe has signed on to write the story of seminal rappers, RUN DMC, who coincidentally enough are getting their due and being inducted into the Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Fame this year.
The writer is attached to adapt, “Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of Run-DMC — The Authorized Biography.” The book was written by Bill Adler, the band’s former publicist who will also executive produce the film according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The urban arm of Davis Entertainment, DJ Classicz, has optioned the book, will co-produce the film and they’re hoping to involve former group members Run, DMC and former Def Jam honcho Russell Simmons in the making of the film. DJ Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell, was tragically shot to death in his Queens studio in 2002 and his death remains unsolved. The two surviving members of the band disbanded the group shortly thereafter.
Let’s hope the RUN DMC story is less formulaic and straight as Coker’s played-out “Notorious” script was.
