After two years of dropping the project, director John Singleton finally gets his wish to start making the long-awaited Tupac Shakur movie this year, a movie that the director says he's long been waiting for.
John Singleton has closed the deal, and he will direct, rewrite, and produce the film which begins production as early as June this year, but the director must first find his main man to play the iconic rapper/actor.
"Tupac was the guy who I planned to do a lifetime of films with," Singleton said. "His passing deeply affected my life as well as countless people in this world. His life story is as important to my generation."
Yahoo Movies has reportedly ranked five possible actors to contend for the role.
Brandon T. Jackson
On the top 5 is Brandon T. Jackson, you might know him as Grover Underwood the Satyr (haft-man, haft-goat guy) from the "Percy Jackson" movies and also known for comedy roles in Tropic Thunder and Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son. His funny as well as charming way of acting could give life and emphasis for the film.
Anthony Mackie
On the top 4 is Anthony Mackie, known for his role as Sam Wilson a.k.a. Falcon upcoming Captain America: The Winter Soldier as well other movies including "Pain & Gain" and "Real Steel". I little known fact about Mackie is that he already did played Tupac before in 2009 bio pic of the Notorious B.I.G. called "Notorious." Well, who knows he might land the role a second time.
Columbus Short
On number 3 is Columbus Short, well for starters he can dance as he landed several roles from "You Got Served", two "Stomp the Yard" movies and "Save the Last Dance 2". He is not just limited to dancer roles, he has shown audiences that he can do anything, to comedy ("Death at a Funeral"), action ("Armored" and "The Losers"), drama (ABC's "Scandal") and horror ("Quarantine").
Chadwick Boseman
At No. 2 is Chadwick Boseman, looks like he's currently a good choice to play Tupac, as he is no stranger to portraying roles of 20th century African American celebrities. He has played baseball player Jackie Robinson in "42" and is currently portraying James Brown in "Get on Up" which will be shown this August. If Boseman gets the role, it will surely add this to his impressive resume.
Michael B. Jordan
And finally he No. 1 contender so far to play Tupac is Michael B. Jordan. Currently one of the most in-demand actors of his generation. He has portray roles on movies such as "Chronicle", "Fruitvale Station" and currently seen with Zac Efron and Miles Teller in "That Awkward Moment". Rumour has it that his the frontrunner for a possible "Rocky" spin-off and "Fantastic Four" reboot. Will this be Jordan's big break?
The movie tells the story of the iconic rapper, which would follow his rise to being one of the most popular hip-hop artists as well as his murder following a boxing match in 1996 in Las Vegas. Who ever wins the role of Tupac Shakur, don't you worry about a thing because Singleton has your back.
