Two film production companies are reportedly in the final stages of negotiations for a Tupac Shakur biopic, which will reportedly start filming next year in Atlanta.
Morgan Creek Productions and Emmett/Furla/Oasis Films confirmed Thursday that they have agreed to co-finance and
co-produce a film about the slain rapper, Deadline.com reported. Afeni Shakur, Tupac's mother, will reportedly serve as executive producer.
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While there have been a handful of documentaries made about Shakur and the East Coast/West Coast hip hop feud with The Notorious B.I.G., efforts to make a full-length feature biopic have always been sullied by creative differences between different producers and Afeni Shakur.
"I believe it is our responsibility to make sure that
Tupac's entire body of work is made available for his fans," his mother told Billboard last year, referring to continuing his legacy. "My son left many incomplete pieces and even more unfinished ideas. Using the blueprints he gave us, I am committed to fulfilling this duty."
Tupac Shakur was just reaching the full height of his career when he was gunned down in Las Vegas in 1996 at the age of 25. His killing remains unsolved, though conspiracy theories have swirled for years in the hip hop industry over who was responsible for the murder.
There's been no word on casting for the biopic yet, but it was also announced this week that the film's producers have secured the rights to Shakur's extensive music catalog.
A Broadway show featuring Shakur is also rumored to be in the works, according to AceShowBiz.com.
"Director Kenny Leon says it won't be biopic but will explore an anti-violence, 'unconditional love story' featuring the MC's music," the industry insider site reported.
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