The Tupac Biopic Has Found Its Lead -- And The Resemblance Is Uncanny
Tupac is alive -- sorta.
Shooting for the "All Eyez On Me" biopic has begun starring unknown actor -- but indisputable Tupac Shakur look-a-like -- Demetrius Shipp, Jr. as the deceased rapper and activist.
Shipp, Jr. barely has an IMDB page. His only credited role is the made-for-TV movie, "#unlock'd." TMZ reports that Shipp, Jr. was offered the role by producer L.T. Hutton purely on looks alone. Production began in Atlanta last week. Shipp Jr. has documented much of his time on set via Twitter with photos that show his transformation into Tupac Shakur. Looks like he's already working on the rapper's exaggerated, confident strut.
Ready to do some more shooting! #AllEyezOnMe pic.twitter.com/F20ECz3Ivf
— Demetrius Shipp Jr (@DemetriusShipJR) December 22, 2015
The slain artist has been portrayed before by Anthony Mackie in the 2009 Biggie Smalls biopic "Notorious" and by Marcc Rose in the N.W.A biopic "Straight Outta Compton."
"All Eyez On Me" is a Morgan Creed Production. Directed by music video guru Benny Boom, the film will cover the entirety of the rapper's life including his death in 1996. The film is expected to see a release in 2016.
