The Tupac Biopic is hiring music video and commercial director, Benny Boom, to replace Carl Franklin. The company is in a hurry to bring the late rapper's story to the big screen, as the music rights will revert back to Tupac Shakur's mother, Afeni Shakur, at the end of the year if the film production won't start. Carl Franklin was scheduled to direct as recently as the summer, after John Singleton dropped out in April and trashed Morgan Creek.
"The people involved aren't really respectful of the legacy of Tupac," stated Singleton on Instagram. Singleton promised to make his own rival project as well.
When Franklin exited from the project, things continued to move forward. Producer Emmett or Furla filed a $10 million lawsuit against Morgan Creek in late October, saying the company breached a co-production contract by selecting a lead actor and setting a production schedule and a budget without the approval of Emmett or Furla.
The life story of Tupac -- which includes his rise to being a multiplatinum-selling artist and his mysterious death -- is seen as tempting. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the Tupac character has appeared in films twice -- in Straight Outta Compton and in Notorious -- both supporting roles were played by newcomer Marc Rose and Anthony Mackie, respectively.
Boom has won video director of the year at the BET Awards for his work with artists such as Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Meek Mill.
John Singleton was originally selected to direct the film but didn't push through. Fact Mag reported that The Boyz n the Hood and Poetic Justice director has also exited from the project in April, and was replaced by Devil in a Blue Dress director, Carl Franklin. But a month ago, Franklin also exited.
Now, Morgan Creek has opened negotiations with music video director Benny Boom. Boom has previously directed two low-key features, but is best known for his music videos, which include 50 Cent's 'Just A Lil Bit,' Ciara's 'Goodies', Busta Rhymes' 'Touch It,' Nelly and Kelly Rowland's 'Dilemma,' and Nicki Minaj's 'Beez in the Trap.'
