Whether or not this actually comes to fruition, it’s not-so crazy an idea to consider, when, as I’ve argued previously, that the massive success of "Straight Outta Compton" would likely inspire other "hip-hop biopics." Recently announced, DJ Premier said he was working on a Gang Starr film; and also Chuck D suggested that he would entertain the idea of a Public Enemy bio; and the long-in-development Tupac Shakur project looks like it’s alive again, given a recent casting notice I shared on this blog, which indicated Carl Franklin was attached to direct, and an actor to play the lead role is being sought.
And I’m sure there are (or will be) others.
In an interview with XXL magazine, Curtis Young, Dr. Dre’s son, revealed that he will be playing his father in an upcoming Dogg Pound biopic.
Tha Dogg Pound, formed in 1992, is made up of West Coast rappers Daz Dillinger and Kurupt, who were signed to Dr Dre’s Death Row Records early in their careers, and played a part in the label’s success. The made their first appearance on Dr. Dre’s hit album "The Chronic," chiming in on several tracks. They also appeared on Snoop Dogg’s debut album "Doggystyle" (1993). Their debut album was titled, what else, "Dogg Food," and was released in 1995.
Curtis Young doesn’t say in the interview with XXL, but I assume this will likely be an independent production, because, quite frankly, I doubt that a Dogg Pound biopic is at the top of any studio executive’s list of potential "hip hop bios" to make next. There are just so many other much more prominent rap groups from that period that I’d think would be considered, before Tha Dogg Pound. But I may be entirely wrong! Maybe there’s a riveting story there worth telling.
Young emphasized that this film would NOT be a sequel of any kind to "Straight Outta Compton," stating the following: "This is the ‘Dogg Pound For Life’ movie. I’m cast to play my father. That is official. Right now they’re looking for funding. There are talks with 50 Cent and some other people. The script is pretty much done. I can’t really speak on the characters but I just got photos of who’s going to be playing who. I’m just really excited to be a part of it."
After digging around a little bit, I learned that, soon after "Straight Outta Compton’s" release, there was talk of a sequel to that film, which would tell the combined stories of Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and Tha Dogg Pound – rumors fueled by Dogg Pound member, Daz Dillinger, who told TMZ in an interview that it was definitely happening. But a Universal spokesperson (Universal is the studio behind "Straight Outta Compton") released a statement in response to that, saying: "At this time there are no plans for a Straight Outta Compton sequel.”
Hence, what I said about about this Dogg Pound project being entirely independent.
Daz Dillinger did tell VLAD TV a week ago that Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson was on board to help finance the film, although I couldn’t confirm that.
"We’re all at the beginning stages," added Curtis Young. "We’ve got to get it funded, but they’ll get it funded. It wouldn’t make sense for someone to not fund that movie."
Wouldn’t it?
