May 12--Despite earlier reports that Kanye West was among the Chicago natives attached to Spike Lee's "Chiraq," representatives for the Grammy-winning performer tell Pitchfork he "will not be starring in 'Chiraq.' However, there are discussions for West's possible involvement in the film's soundtrack, schedule permitting."
Only yesterday news leaked that Lee's film, which is schedule to film in Chicago this summer, will not be a grim depiction of violence in Chicago, but rather a contemporary update on the bawdy ancient Greek comedy "Lysistrata," about a nation of women who go on a sex strike to motivate their men to put an end to the violence.
Other names reportedly attached to the film include John Cusack, Common, Jennifer Hudson and Jeremy Piven. West is the first to publicly speak (through his representatives) on the matter. In fact, it is the only on-the-record comment concerning the film from any of the names associated with the project, including Lee.
This past weekend, the movie held an open casting call for extras. Representatives of the film will be at the Cannes Film Festival this week, drumming up foreign pre-sales.
nmetz@tribpub.com
