A biopic about Suge Knight is officially in the works, Deadline reports. According to the outlet, the infamous music executive and Death Row Records co-founder sold his life rights to producer Steve Whitney and his company TSW Films, which will produce the film. Nick Cassavetes and Anthony Thorne will pen its script.
“Over the last 30 years, there has been so much talk about Compton, me, the inner cities and Death Row – a lot of talk,” Knight told the outlet. “Even when it comes to making my movie there has been so many imposters saying they have my rights, or they got the deal… That was, and is, all talk.”
“I jumped off the porch in my neighborhood at a young age, but never forgot where I came from,” he continued. “Most people try to ride for the hills; I made it and tried to bring as many people to the hills with me and feel that I was successful at it.”
The 56-year-old mogul, who is currently incarcerated at San Diego’s RJ Donovan Correctional Facility, said he met Whitney through his friend Mike Klein, a former Ruthless Records executive who once tipped him off that the label was trying to poach Dr. Dre behind his back.
“Mike Klein told me about it and I respect him for it. We became friends,” Knight said. “So, when it came time to do a real movie and tell the truth about it, he introduced me to Steve Whitney. Now, Steve, Mike, and I, and the woman that has my back, are making this movie. Taking it to the next level!”
Whitney added, “During the golden era of rap and hip hop, all roads led through Suge Knight. That era helped define a new brand of music and culture that changed the world.”
Knight’s notoriety has already been portrayed in hip hop biopics like Straight Outta Compton, All Eyez On Me and Notorious. He was also the subject of the 2018 Showtime film, American Dream/ American Knightmare.
Knight is currently serving a 28-year prison sentence for voluntary manslaughter. In 2019, he revealed that Nick Cannon is writing his autobiography and said his fiancée Toi-Lin Kelly is the guardian of his life rights.