Boyz n the Hood director John Singleton is to take charge of the long-gestating biopic of rapper Tupac Shakur, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The US film-maker is on board to rewrite, direct and produce the untitled film, which hopes to shoot in the summer. He knew his subject personally, having worked with him on the 1993 romantic drama Poetic Justice, in which the rapper starred opposite Janet Jackson.
"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."
Shakur, who was killed during a Las Vegas drive-by shooting in 1996, was last portrayed on-screen by The Hurt Locker's Anthony Mackie in the 2009 Biggie Smalls biopic Notorious. There is no word yet as to which actor might be picked this time around.
Shakur released five albums during a short-lived career, with three of these reaching No 1 in the US pop charts. His 1996 LP All Eyez On Me remains one of the bestselling hip-hop records of all time.
Training Day's Antoine Fuqua was previously on board to direct the biopic, while Singleton had also been previously attached.
More on Tupac
• Tupac hologram adds to his mythology, by Alex Mcpherson
• Tupac musical headed for Broadway
