Not long ago, we reported on the trailer release for Lionsgate's Tupac Shakur biopic ALL EYEZ ON ME. That film, schedule for a June 16, 2017 release follows Shakur from his early days in New York City to his evolution into being one of the world’s most recognized and influential voices before his untimely death at the age of 25. Against all odds, Shakur’s raw talent, powerful lyrics and revolutionary mind-set propelled him into becoming a cultural icon whose legacy continues to grow long after his passing.
Now, 12 YEARS A SLAVE director Steve McQueen has announced that he will helm a full-length feature documentary based on the iconic hip hop sensation. The film will come by way of Estate trustee Tom Whalley and Amaru Entertainment, the company created by Afeni Shakur to release her son’s posthumous projects. Together with Nigel Sinclair’s White Horse Pictures and Jayson Jackson, the pari will produce a fully authorized documentary with Amaru on the life of late hip-hop legend, writer and poet.
As I'd stated earlier, McQueen will direct the project while Jayson Jackson will produce with Sinclair, the man behind a whole gaggle of musical documentaries including EIGHT DAYS A WEEK – THE TOURING YEARS and more. Jackson, in a partnership with Nicholas Ferrall and Whalley. Gloria Cox, Tupac Shakur’s aunt and Afeni Shakur’s only sister, will executive produce along with White Horse’s Jeanne Elfant Festa.
In speaking about the upcoming project, Steve McQueen stated, “I am extremely moved and excited to be exploring the life and times of this legendary artist. I attended NYU film school in 1993 and can remember the unfolding hip-hop world and mine overlapping with Tupac’s through a mutual friend in a small way. Few, if any shined brighter than Tupac Shakur. I look forward to working closely with his family to tell the unvarnished story of this talented man.”
Steve McQueen's next directorial venture is for a crime thriller entitled WINDOWS, which tells the story of when a crew of crooks are killed during a robbery, their widowed spouses pick up where they left off. It's on schedule to hit hard in theaters beginning on November 16, 2018.
Tupac Shakur died far too young at the age of 25, and I have no doubt in my mind that McQueen will do an exemplary job of honoring his memory.