Ice Cube Explains Lil Eazy-E's Absence In The N.W.A Biopic, Casts MC Ren And DJ Yella Roles

BYPatrick Lyons135.4K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Ice Cube says that they gave Lil Eazy-E "a shot" to play his father in the upcoming N.W.A biopic, but "it just didn't work out."

Earlier this month, Lil Eazy-E, son of the deceased former member of N.W.A, made quite a fuss about not being selected to play his father in the upcoming N.W.A biopic "Straight Outta Compton" (and then later redacted his statement). Well according to Ice Cube, who's executive producing the film, Lil E was given a chance to nab the role, but "it just didn't work out."

"He’s an up-and-coming actor trying to do it," Cube said about Lil E, "But we needed somebody who was a little more polished to play Eazy, because he goes through a lot in his life. He goes from selling dope in Compton to fighting for his life in a hospital bed. So we needed to find an actor with a lot of range. And we just couldn’t use just anybody. We gave him a shot, and it just didn’t work out."

That being said, Cube's own son, O’Shea Jackson Jr. is playing his father with no prior acting experience. And though Lil Eazy-E wasn't selected for the role, he's still involved in coaching the actor who got the job, Jason Mitchell.

In other "Straight Outta Compton" news, the roles of MC Ren and DJ Yella have been filled. Actors Aldis Hodge and Neil Brown Jr., both of whom have appeared in the TV show "Walking Dead," will play Ren and Yella, respectively. Check out their pictures in the gallery above.

[via, via]


Gallery #1

Ice Cube Explains Lil Eazy-E's Absence In The N.W.A Biopic, Casts MC Ren And DJ Yella Roles
About The Author
<b>Feature Writer</b> Ever since he borrowed a copy of "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below" from his local library, Patrick's love affair with hip-hop has been on an extended honeymoon phase. He now contributes features to HNHH, hoping to share his knowledge and passion with this site's broad audience. <strong>Favorite Hip Hop Artists:</strong> André 3000, Danny Brown, Kanye, Weezy, Gucci Mane, Action Bronson, MF DOOM, Ghostface Killah <strong>Favorite Producers:</strong> Lex Luger, Kanye (again), RZA, Young Chop, Madlib, J Dilla, Hudson Mohawke
...