F. Gary Gray is a director I keep hoping will finally get his big break. He's made solid films before, like the classic Friday and The Italian Job remake, but offers coming his way have been slow. Last week it looked like he may finally be on the verge of making a splash with his name emerging as one of three contenders to direct Captain America 2, along with George Nolfi(The Adjustment Bureau) and the Russo Brothers(You Me and Dupree). Instead of sticking that out and waiting for Marvel to make a decision, Gray has chosen to step up and take on another high profile project.
He'll take on Straight Outta Compton, the long gestating biopic on gangster rap icons, N.W.A. Gray's name had been on the shortlist for that as well, along with Craig Brewer and Peter Berg(???). John Singleton was attached at one point, but that fell through because Singleton's a terrible director. Ok, that's not official or anything but...well, it's true. Ice Cube is serving as a producer on the film, with a handful of writers having taken a swing at the script. After three years in development, maybe this will be one of the few hip hop biopics that actually comes to pass?
As for Captain America, Marvel has it slated for April 4th 2014, so expect a decision to be made on a director real soon. Fingers crossed for Nolfi! [Deadline]
