Johnny Depp’s B.I.G.-Tupac Thriller ‘Labyrinth’ Lands at Open Road

Open Road Films has acquired all North American rights to Labyrinth, a project starring Johnny Depp and centering on the murders of rap music icons Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace, aka The Notorious B.I.G.

Brad Furman will direct the project. Open Road also has acquired rights in key international territories where the distributor has output agreements. Miramax is partnering and co-financing with Open Road for U.S. distribution. Good Universe is handling international sales for remaining territories.

Depp will play disgraced L.A.P.D. detective Russell Poole, whose biggest case — the murders of Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. — remains unsolved. “Jack” Jackson, a reporter desperate to save his reputation and career, is determined to find out why. He tracks down Poole, and the two enter into an uneasy partnership to finally put this case to rest. As Poole relives the unbelievable story of power, corruption and crime, Jackson begins to unravel a growing web of scandal and deception. Relentless in their hunt for the truth, these two broken men threaten to crack the foundation of the L.A.P.D. all the while fighting for their own redemption.
 
Production is slated for mid-November. Miriam Segal and her Good Films are producing. Christian Contreras wrote the script based on Randall Sullivan’s book LAbyrinth: A Detective Investigates the Murders of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G., the Implications of Death Row Records’ Suge Knight, and the Origins of the Los Angeles Police Scandal.

Related Stories

Business

Jeffrey Ballard, Publicist for Charlie Sheen, Paula Abdul and Many Others, Dies at 64

Movies

Saudi Film Festival Backs Johnny Depp Period Drama 'Jeanne du Barry'

“Labyrinth is an edgy and timely investigative thriller that will make a great addition to our slate,” Open Road Films CEO Tom Ortenberg said Monday in a statement. “Johnny Depp is perfect for the project and we are thrilled to be in business with him, Miriam Segal, Brad Furman and the rest of the filmmaking team.”
 
The deal was negotiated by Ortenberg and chief operating officer and general counsel Elliott Kleinberg on behalf of Open Road and by UTA Independent Film Group and WME Global on behalf of the filmmakers along with Good Universe. Miramax’s executive vp of Film & TV, Zanne Devine, and Rosanne Korenberg, SVP of Acquisitions and Co-Productions, negotiated on behalf of the company.