Everything We Know So Far About ‘Straight Outta Compton’ The N.W.A. Biopic

The story of influential rap group N.W.A. is getting the Hollywood treatment, with biopic Straight Outta Compton about to begin production. With the main cast in place, this week the movie found itself in the headlines again after an offensively worded casting call was sent out looking for female extras. But a biopic about the godfather’s of gangster rap was alway going to incur some controversy and this probably won't be the last time the film makes headlines. While we’re still a year away from seeing _Straight Outta Compto_n on our screens, here’s everything we know so far about the N.W.A. biopic.

The Cast

O’Shea Jackson Jr, the son of Ice Cube will be playing his father in the movie. Jackson is also an aspiring rapper who performs under the name OMG. Since details of the movie were announced Jackson’s father had been publicly lobbying for his son to get the part saying in January "I've been trying to get that pushed along. Just wanna make sure that he's the best man for the job.” While the late Easy-E’s son, Lil Easy-E had also wanted to play his father the role eventually went to newcomer Jason Mitchell. Mitchell is a New Orleans-based actor who impressed producers during his screen test, his previous credits include small parts in Contraband alongside Mark Wahlberg and indie flick Broken City. Corey Hawkins who has appeared in I_ron Man 3 a_nd Non Stop will be starring as Dr Dre, while the roles of MC Ren and DJ Yella have not yet been cast.

More: What Was Universal Thinking with 'Straight Outta Compton' Casting Call?

The Crew

Directing will be F. Gary Gray, who worked with Ice Cube on the 1995 movie Friday, and was behind the camera for 2005’s Law Abiding Citizen, starring Gerard butler and Jamie Foxx. _Ride Along’_s Will Packer will serve as executive producer alongside former N.W.A. members Ice Cube and Dr Dre as well as Easy E’s widow Tomica Wright.

More: NWA Biopic Straight Outta Compton Gets a Release Date

The Plot

The official synopsis for the film reads: "In the mid-1980s, the streets of Compton, California, were some of the most dangerous in the country. When five young men translated their experiences growing up into brutally honest music that rebelled against abusive authority, they gave an explosive voice to a silenced generation. Following the meteoric rise and fall of N.W.A., Straight Outta Compton tells the astonishing story of how these youngsters revolutionised music and pop culture forever the moment they told the world the truth about life in the hood and ignited a cultural war.”

Next, what was the controversial casting call sent out this week?

That Casting Call

Earlier this week Sande Alessi Casting sent out a casting call inviting L.A. based women to auction for a part in the film. The problem was, they decided to divide the women into four categories based on their appearance. The call, subsequently published by gawker.com listed the categories as: "A) "Hottest of the hottest. Models" (open to women of any race) B) "Fine ... Beyonce is a prototype here" (light-skinned women) C) African American girls ... Medium to light skinned with a weave D) "These are African American girls. Poor, not in good shape. Medium to dark skin tone.” Unsurprisingly Universal sent out an apology, distancing themselves from the call saying that they “did not approve and do not condone the information in this casting notice.” While a representative for Sande Alessi Casting told TMZ the ad was an "innocent mistake”, adding that when it came to casting the "poor" people, they were also looking for women of various skin tones and body types. Sande Alessi also stated that they did not mean to “offend” with their descriptions.

Straight Outta Compton is scheduled for release in August 2015.