Oscar-Nominated Writers On Board For Tupac Biopic

Antoine Fuqua’s upcoming biopic about legendary emcee Tupac Shakur has added two impressive resumés.   “New York” magazine is reporting that Oscar-nominated writers Stephen J. Rivele and Chris Wilkinson have been selected to write the film’s screenplay.  Rivele — whose previous credits include “Ali” and “Nixon” — says the film will center around Tupac’s final day, with flashbacks of the rapper’s last four years woven throughout.  The script will also focus on the belief that Tupac never really fit into the world of hip-hop.  Rivele remarks, quote, “It became clear that he was essentially a 19th-century Romantic poet who found himself in the 21st century.”  He adds, quote, “He was not a gangster, but the people around him were.  They saw he was going to leave, that they were going to lose him, and so I think they decided to kill him.” 

Antoine Fuqua’s Tupac Shakur film is scheduled to begin production later this year.  Fuqua previously stated that he wants to get a new face to play the part of Tupac.  He told the U.K.’s “Digital Spy,” quote, “That’s the goal, I want to discover someone new.”