Run-D.M.C. Walks Onto The Big Screen

With Notorious still heating up theaters, earning an estimated $32 million in box office sales after two weeks, the film’s screenwriter Cheo Hodari Coker is in the process to tackle yet another hip-hop biopic.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Coker – who along with writing Notorious’ screenplay also penned Unbelievable: The Life, Death, and Afterlife of The Notorious B.I.G. - has signed on to adapt Bill Adler’s Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of Run-D.M.C.--The Authorized Biography for the big screen.

The Run-D.M.C. flick hopes to engage the same viewing audience as the Biggie biopic, this time delving into the lives of rap legends Joseph "Run" Simmons, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels and Jason "Jam Master Jay" Mizell - whose life was cut short when he was shot and killed in 2002.

As Run-D.M.C. takes their ambitious life story to Hollywood, they will also be honored with an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 4th; the second rap act in history to make it to the esteemed institution.

In related news, Jam Master Jay was also recently commemorated at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival with a documentary created by protégé 50 cent. The documentary, Two Turntables and a Microphone: The Life and Death of Jam Master Jay will be one of the first films released off of 50’s emerging film production company, Cheetah Vision and will be packaged along with a special edition of his upcoming album Before I Self Destruct. - Rosario Velazquez