Straight Outta Compton ($201,634,991)

The film stars Starring O’Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins and Jason Mitchell as Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Eazy-E.


"Straight Outta Compton" is directed by F. Gary Gray (Friday, Set It Off, The Italian Job) from a screenplay written by Jonathan Herman, and Andrea Berloff.

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 revolutionized music and pop culture forever the moment they told the world the truth about life in the hood and ignited a cultural war.

UPDATE, 10:05 AM: The D.A.’s office asked for a high bail because of concerns about flight risk and more in the fatality connected to the F. Gary Grey directed N.W.A. biopic and today Judge Ronald S. Cohen granted it to them. Marion “Suge” Knight now has a bail of a very hefty $25 million for his involvement in with two men being run over near a Straight Outta Compton related photo shoot in late January. Already out on bail for another case, the former hip hop mogul was arrested the next day and has been behind bars since. The Judge also made it clear that bail would only be granted if it could be proven that the $25 million didn’t come from funds gained from criminal acts.

The L.A. D.A. clearly wanted to keep Knight tight in jail.

“Defendant Knight’s extensive history of violence, both in this case and over the last 30 years, clearly demonstrates that he is physically incapable of stopping his violent criminal behavior,” said Deputy D.A. Cynthia Barnes in paperwork filed with the court citing the former Death Row Records boss’ “shameless life of crime.” Knight is charged with murder, attempted murder and duel counts of hit and run, as well as a violent felony allegation over the Straight Outta Compton incidents. With an reference to Fox’s hit hip hop drama Empire, Knight’s lawyers said again today that he acted in self defense. They also cited the bail as way too high – though Judge Cohen didn’t change it. (MORE – 10:32 AM: As has happened in previous hearings on this matter, Knight has collapsed and medics have been called to the courtroom)



PREVIOUS,  JAN 30 AM: Early this morning, LA Sheriff’s deputies arrested Suge Knight on suspicion of murder for the fatal hit and run that occurred near the set of the commercial being shot for the upcoming F. Gary Gray-directed N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton. Police say that the former CEO of Death Row Records was booked at the West Hollywood Station around 3 AM. He is being held there in lieu of $2 million bail. The N.W.A. movie, which sees former members of the notorious rap group Dr. Dre and Ice Cube among its producers, is set to come out in August this year.

2ND UPDATE, 9:04 PM: Sheriff’s homicide detective Lt. John Corina says authorities have found Suge Knight’s red Ford Raptor, the vehicle involved in today’s fatal hit and run, parked in Westwood and impounded it. He mentioned that it is the same vehicle Knight had been driving before he was shot six times during a party hosted by Chris Brown in West Hollywood last year.


Corina said there were two separate altercations — one at the set of the commercial being shot for the upcoming N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton and a second in the parking lot of Tam’s Burgers at Rosecrans and Central avenues, where the accident took place. He said deputies continue to negotiate with Knight’s attorney for his client’s surrender and will hold a news conference when he does.


UPDATED, 8:09 PM: LA Sheriff’s deputies at the scene of today’s hit and run tell Deadline that Marion “Suge” Knight is a “person of interest” in the case. They also said the car involved in the accident is registered to the Death Row Records founder, but officials don’t know if he was driving. Law enforcement is negotiating with Knight’s attorney about him coming in for questioning. The incident took place in the Tam’s Burgers parking lot, and Sheriff’s deputies will hold a news conference at the scene at 9 PM.

KABC-TV is reporting that Knight’s attorney James Blatt said his client was behind the wheel and is expected to turn himself in. Blatt also told the station that Knight was attacked by two people and tried to flee in his car. He said the man who was killed was a friend of Knight’s named Terry Carter and the second victim is activist and part-time actor Cle Sloan, who had bit roles in the Antoine Fuqua films Training Day, Tears Of The Sun and Brooklyn’s Finest. Blatt told KABC that Sloan was not seriously hurt.

Knight’s Death Row Records rose to prominence during the early 1990s with Straight Outta Compton producer Dr. Dre’s seminal album The Chronic. It was followed by string of hit albums from acts including Snoop Dogg and 2Pac and the soundtrack to the 1994 Above The Rim. Knight has had numerous run-ins with the law and is awaiting trial on charges he and actor-comic Katt Williams stole a camera from a paparazzo in Beverly Hills last year.

PREVIOUSLY, 6:36 PM: One man was killed and another injured today in a hit and run on the set of a commercial shoot for the upcoming N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton. The LA County Sheriff’s Department said homicide detectives were sent to a Rite-Aid parking lot in the 1200 block of West Rosecrans Avenue in Compton just before 3 p.m. to investigate the accident. Deputies said there no suspect information and that the investigation is ongoing. The surviving victim was taken to a hospital in unknown condition.
Former N.W.A rappers Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, who are producing Straight Outta Compton, were at the scene today, but it’s unclear whether either was there when the accident happened. Cube posted a photo on Instragram of the pair along with rapper The Game.

“Deputies will be doing patrol checks during their shifts and the Department will be monitoring the release,” Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department tells TheWrap.

Police agencies in Southern California are increasing their presence around movie theaters, specifically in urban areas, as Universal prepares to release “Straight Outta Compton” on Friday, law enforcement insiders tell TheWrap.

The Los Angeles Police Department plans to dispatch additional officers to theaters in its Southwest Division, which includes Baldwin Hills, Baldwin Village, Crenshaw, Exposition Park, Jefferson Park, Leimert Park and West Adams, a department insider said.

“There will be extra patrols around the theaters, cars and foot patrol. But not only because of the movie that’s coming out, but in light of all the recent activity in the country,” the LAPD insider explained.

That activity includes the recent deadly incidents at movie theaters in Lafayette, Louisiana, and Antioch, Tennessee. Over the weekend, theatergoers in Newport Beach, California, also got a scare when someone brandishing a leaf blower sent patrons running from the building in fear.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department — which counts Compton within its jurisdiction — plans to step up patrols around theaters this weekend as well.

“Sheriff’s patrol stations have been working with theater management in their jurisdictions over the last few weeks to develop safety plans and discuss security measures,” public information officer Nicole Nishida told TheWrap. “Deputies will be doing patrol checks during their shifts and the Department will be monitoring the release [of “Straight Outta Compton].”

How massive is Straight Outta Compton? Let’s start with its Friday haul of $24.3M. That’s the fourth highest opening day for an August release, beating the first days of Rush Hour 2 ($23.1M) G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra ($22.2M), Signs ($20.9M) and Rise of the Planet of the Apes ($19.5M).

Straight Outta Compton is touching a cultural nerve, and to say it crossed over is an understatement. Opening weekend for Compton is now looking like it will be north of $59M.

Rentrak’s PostTrak reports that audiences gave the Universal/Legendary title a 5 out of 5 stars which is largely unheard of for their polls; typically the best films coming out of PostTrak land 4 or 4.5 stars. And not just guys, but women are giving the F. Gary Gray-directed biopic a respective 74% and 76% definite recommend – very high marks per Rentrak. 38% of those watching Compton came out because of the subject matter and the plot. CinemaScore is a resounding A. Given Compton’s fast-beat rhythm this weeekend, Uni is officially launching an Oscar campaign for the film and will start Academy screenings today.

WyldeMan wrote:This is definitely a movie for the fans, even though the theater was strangely loaded with retirees and parents who thought their six year olds would enjoy it too.

UltimateMarvel wrote:

WyldeMan wrote:This is definitely a movie for the fans, even though the theater was strangely loaded with retirees and parents who thought their six year olds would enjoy it too.

WTF?!!! I don't understand some parents. I mean, why? Most kids aren't into movies unless it's an animated movie or something they might enjoy. And then there is the rating thing, what could a six year old learn from this movie?

ForeverBlu wrote:Just watched this, don't like how they left out Dre being a woman beater.


With that said, the actors playing NWA did a great job.


6/10

Rusty Cunt wrote:

ForeverBlu wrote:Just watched this, don't like how they left out Dre being a woman beater.


With that said, the actors playing NWA did a great job.


6/10

I'm still yet to see it. I'd read that there was some glaring omissions. Definitely seems like a fan film.

Rusty Cunt wrote:

ForeverBlu wrote:Just watched this, don't like how they left out Dre being a woman beater.


With that said, the actors playing NWA did a great job.


6/10

I'm still yet to see it. I'd read that there was some glaring omissions. Definitely seems like a fan film.

Tyger wrote:To be fair, who didn't?

Rusty Cunt wrote:

Tyger wrote:To be fair, who didn't?

Me

I always liked Ren. I enjoyed his early solo stuff (post NWA).

Rusty Cunt wrote:Eazy was far better with a supporting cast. His best solo tracks still included the other guys in some form or fashion (Boyz N The Hood, Still Talkin' Shit etc)

ForeverBlu wrote:Eazy's deathbed wedding, recall that being questioned back then.

Dre leaving Death Row, portrayed with him getting all buck with Suge.

Eh.