Here’s why we’re taking our coffee straight this morning:
- John Singleton has signed on to rewrite, direct and produce the highly anticipated biopic of late rapper Tupac Shakur. Singleton is currently working on a draft of the screenplay and looking towards a summer start date. The question of who will play Shakur is still up in the air but Singleton, who worked with the rapper on the film Poetic Justice, has personal ties to the project. “Tupac was a guy who I planned to do a lifetime of films with,” said Singleton. “His passing deeply affected my life as well as countless people in this world. His life story is important to my generation.” [HollywoodReporter]
- Pharrell’s hit song “Happy” has become the highest charting Oscar-nominated song in more than a decade. The uplifting tune, nominated for the Academy Awards best original song, jumped from the 8th to the 2nd spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart this week. The song, written for animated film Despicable Me 2, is the first song to reach this level since Eminem’s 2001 single “Lose Yourself.” [Billboard]
- Beyonce’s trainer Marco Borges opened up about how the singer has trimmed down to a size 2/4. The exercise psychologist and author behind 22 Day Nutriton says that he challenged Beyonce and Jay-Z to eat a plant-based breakfast once a day and it was so easy they came to him to start the 22-Day Plan. Borges attributes Mrs. Carter’s slim physique to his 22 Day Nutrition diet. [Wonderwall]
- A jury is deliberating on the fate of Michael Dunn, the man charged with shooting and killing teenager Jordan Davis. Dunn is charged with first-degree murder and faces three charges of attempted murder for firing the shots at four teens in an SUV, ultimately killing Davis. Closing arguments wrapped up Wednesday and the jury continues deliberations today. [Reuters]