Director John Singleton has signed on to rewrite, direct and produce a Tupac Shakur biopic, Entertainment Weekly has confirmed.
After falling off the project two years ago, Singleton, who is best known for his directorial debut "Boyz N The Hood," released in 1991, will be a part of the untitled film about the late rapper, who was gunned down in a 1996 at the age of 25 following a boxing match in Las Vegas.
"Tupac was the guy who I planned to do a lifetime of films with," Singleton told the industry trade publication. "His passing deeply affected my life as well as countless people in this world. His life story is as important to my generation."
Variety reported that production company Morgan Creek Productions and Emmett Furla Oasis Films have been struggling to launch the project, facing many legal problems with the rapper's mother, Afeni, who will now act as executive producer.
James G. Robinson and David Robinson, along with Program Pictures' L.T. Hutton, are also producing the film. Production is reportedly scheduled to start in June.
In 1993, Shakur starred in "Poetic Justice," a romantic movie, alongside singer and actress Janet Jackson and directed by Singleton, who has reportedly grown close with the Shakur family since the rapper's death.
Shakur fans will also get to see a celebration of the late actor's life, with the Broadway musical, "Holler If Ya Hear Me," reportedly set to begin previews at the Palace Theatre on May 26.
No casting information on Shakur has been announced.
