Coffee Talk: John Singleton's Tupac Biopic Gets Distribution Deal

TGIF!

John Singleton’s Tupac biopic has been acquired by Open Road Films. They have committed to a wide-screen release of at least 2000 theaters for the film that follows Tupac from his East Harlem upbringing, to becoming a successful hip-hop and movie star, and the events leading up to his death. Casting for the film is set to start shortly, while production will begin late summer in Atlanta, New York and L.A. Afeni Shakur, mother of Tupac, is set to executive produce. [Deadline]

Gary Dourdan will join the cast of Being Mary Jane with a reoccurring role. The CSI star will play Sheldon Armstrong, a smooth and charming retired civil trial attorney who has made his fortune suing corrupt corporations. Sounds like Mary Jane’s type! Fans will have to tune in to see what happens next. [Deadline]

TV personality B.Scott has lost his $2.5 million lawsuit against BET Networks. Scott was hired as a style correspondent for the 2013 BET Awards and sued the network when he was forced to change his outfit, “completely changing his gender identity and expression.” A Los Angeles judge ruled in favor of Viacom, deciding that the complaint went against the networks First Amendment rights. [HollywoodReporter]

Fox has bought a pitch for Men Who Kill, a new project that will star Michael B. Jordan. The action-thriller film, being developed specifically for Jordan is said to have an international Bad Boys tone to it. [Deadline]

Janelle Monae was awarded with the inaugural 2014 Award for Achievement in Arts and Media by the Harvard College Women’s Center last week. Following her Harvard Yardfest performance, the star nabbed the honor that acknowledges a prominent performer who tackles questions of identity including sex, gender and sexuality. Congrats Janelle! [TheYBF]