The highly-anticipated biopic centering around the life of slain rapper Tupac Shakur finally has a release date.
Morgan Creek Productions has announced “All Eyez on Me” will land in movie theaters on Pac’s birthday via Lions Gate according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The movie recounts the life of Tupac Shakur, who was born on June 16, 1971, and killed in September of 1996, after he was shot while riding along side Death Row Records founder Marion “Suge” Knight, on the Las Vegas strip.
Demetrius Shipp Jr.
The cast members include Demetrius Shipp Jr., who plays Tupac, while Danai Gurira plays Afeni Shakur. Kat Graham stars as Jada Pinkett, Jamal “Gravy” Woolard stars as Biggie Smalls and Dominic L. Santana plays the role of Marion “Suge” Knight.
West Coast veteran L. T. Hutton handled the production of the movie with Morgan Creek Productions, while Benny Boom was hired to direct “All Eyez on Me.”
“I actually spent a ton of time with Pac once he came to Death Row,” L.T. Hutton told AllHipHop.com. “I followed his career and life even before he came to Death Row. Him and Snoop were close, and I’m originally from the Dogg Pound so when he came to Death Row I got to work with him. We had a lot of stuff stacked in the vault. We rocked out real tough.
Even though Pac’ mom Afeni Shakur died in May of 2016 and will have the chance to the final film, L.T. Hutton said “All Eyez On Me” had her blessings, since she was intimately involved in the production of the movie.
“She has approval of a lot of things, and she wants the best portrayal of her son possible,” L.T. Hutton said. “She doesn’t have a problem with any of the truth. She just wants to make sure that everything was told correctly.”
Tupac Shakur, Among Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees for 2017.
All Eyes on Me started out on its long journey back in 2011 when Morgan Creek teamed with Emmett/Furla/Oasis to make the film, and hired Antoine Fuqua to direct. Fuqua eventually left the project, and John Singleton signed on. He also later left, and eventually Boom, who has directed a slew of music videos for hip-hop stars, signed on.
In October 2015, the film faced another hurdle when Emmett/Furla/Oasis filed a lawsuit $10-million lawsuit against Morgan Creek, saying the company breached its agreement by selecting a lead actor and setting a budget and production schedule without Emmett/Furla/Oasis' approval (the case is ongoing and has been paused pending an appeal of a decision). Open Road was previously signed on to distribute the film.
Check out a trailer from the movie below:
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