If you were a hip-hop fan growing up in the 90’s, there was a good chance you owned at least one Wu Tang Clan album. Coming into mainstream consciousness in 1993 with the single “Protect Ya Neck”, Wu Tang grew to become one of the most influential voices in hip hop. While every member had skill behind the mic and could outclass nearly every other hip-hop artist they came across, the one that stood out the most was Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
His off-kilter and slightly psychotic style was unique only to him and still hasn’t been duplicated to this day, while his public persona was simultaneously hilarious (an MTV spot where he drove in a Limo to go pick up his welfare check) and heartbreaking (drug abuse, arrests, name changes for no reason, erratic and scary behavior). But despite his troubles, ODB was still in demand and was mounting a comeback after a stint in prison when he died of a drug overdose in 2004. But like all the great artists in music, ODB’s legend continues to grow as the years go by and more people begin to discover him anew.
Now it’s time for his story to be told on the big screen, and they definitely picked the right person to play him; EW reports that Michael K. Williams (The Wire, Boardwalk Empire) has signed on to play the late rapper in a movie currently titled Dirty White Boy. This will not be an all-inclusive biopic; instead, the movie will focus on the last few years of ODB’s life, as he befriends 22 -ear-old Jarred Weisfield while serving a prison sentence.
Weisfield, despite having no experience, becomes ODB’s manager and engineers a comeback for the hip hop artist, only to be derailed by the rapper’s premature death in 2004. So far Williams is the only one cast, with the crucial role of Weisfield still needing to be filled. Considering how respected Williams is, I expect that to be taken real soon.
Directorial duties on Dirty White Boy are being handled by first-timer Joaquín Baca-Asay (cinematographer on We Own The Night, Two Lovers, Rodger Dodger and more) from a script by Brent Hoff, and the movie is being produced by Lars Knudsen and Jay Van Hoy. If those last two names look familiar, it’s because they also produced last year’s Beginners, the movie that finally netted Christopher Plummer an Oscar at this year’s Academy Awards.
The article in question also brings up the other Ol’ Dirty Bastard movie currently in development; more of a straight up biopic, the movie is being produced by the late rapper’s cousin Raeshawn and is looking for someone to take the lead role. So far Tracy Morgan and Eddie Griffin have both been mentioned, the latter seeming like a better choice due to overall talent and his resemblance to the man himself.
It begs to be seen which movie will see the light of day first, but I’d probably put my money on Dirty White Boy; it’s already got a tremendous actor as the lead (Williams stole The Road with just his one horribly depressing scene) and a producing team that helped net an Oscar. Case closed. But I hope both get made regardless as Ol’ Dirty Bastard was a fascinating person and I think both movies could do him justice in different ways. In the mean time, search out some of his solo work and it’ll blow your mind.
Any interest in Dirty White Boy? Is Michael K. Williams right for the role, despite being older than ODB was when he died?