This weekend brings to cinemas the inevitable result of “Straight Outta Compton”’s 2015 box office success: more studio hip-hop biopics. And while the Tupac Shakur film “All Eyez On Me” doesn’t seem poised for similar box office triumph given a lackluster marketing campaign and a release that might be too wide for its own good, an unconcerned Lionsgate has already cast the lead in its newly announced 2 Live Crew biopic.
Based on manager/hype-man Luther Campbell’s memoir, “Book of Luke: My Fight for Truth, Justice and Liberty City,” the Craig-Williams-penned adaptation will be part hip-hop star origin story, part courtroom drama. The film will cover Campbell and 2 Live Crew’s historic Supreme Court victory, which gave future artists broader leeway in terms of music sampling and fair use.
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The picture is being developed with RJ Cyler, who played the eponymous Earl of “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” in mind for the role of Campbell. Cyler was deservedly celebrated for his ‘Me and Earl’ performance, but has struggled to make a name for himself since. He was central to the recent “Power Rangers” film and had a role in Netflix’s Brad Pitt vehicle “War Machine” — “Power Rangers” disappointed at the box office and “War Machine” barely registered culturally upon its Netflix release. This should be the perfect opportunity for Cyler to break out, provided Lionsgate gives the film a “Straight Outta Compton” marketing campaign rather than an “All Eyez on Me” nothingburger. [THR/ Deadline]”
