Nick Cannon, Michael B. Jordan Tried Out For Tupac In Biopic

Appearing on Holdin Court Podcast, Outlawz member E.D.I. Mean revealed that Nick Cannon and Michael B. Jordan tried out for Tupac in the ‘All Eyez On Me’ biopic.

Back in 2013, L.T. Hutton took on the responsibility of producing a biopic on one of the most iconic figures of our generation and to ever exist, period. It would take 3 years before the movie started filming and ultimately was released in the summer of 2017. The movie would be the first of its kind when it came to Tupac. Many documentaries and specials had been produced, but none felt such scrutiny as did the Benny Boom directed film, “All Eyez On Me.”

The movie had mixed reviews by die hard Tupac fans. The film grossed $44.9 million domestically and quickly came to a halt due to legal issues and declining ticket sales. According to E.D.I. Mean, the biopic did not get a fair chance.

“They gave other movies more of a chance in my opinion. Because if you look at ‘Straight Outta Compton,’ great movie don’t get me wrong, but the last 30 minutes is like come on. You know what I mean. That sh** ain’t no better than ‘All Eyez On Me.’ That sh** ain’t no better than ‘Notorious,'” said E.D.I. Mean in the with Holdin Court Podcast.

Perhaps no one had more weight on their shoulder than Demetrius Shipp Jr. who landed the Tupac role. His resemblance, which at times was flat out on point in the film, was not the only reason he was blessed (or cursed to some degree) with the role. Shipps’ hard work and years of preparation paid off.

Although E.D.I., who served as a consultant and actor for the film, praised Shipp Jr., the Outlawz member noted that “Pac is an energy that it is really hard to duplicate.” “Demetrius Shipp Jr. was a newcomer. He was not an actor by trade,” said E.D.I. “At the end of the day, “Meech” earned that role. They didn’t just hand it to him. He auctioned more than once and he ended up being the best one for that role. And I think he did an outstanding job, especially for somebody who wasn’t an actor by trade.”

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Others were also in line ready to take on the Tupac role, but fell short. “That was Michael B. Jordan that got a call from his agent who tried out for the movie and didn’t get it. A lot of people did. Him, Nick Cannon. A lot of people tried out for that and didn’t get it.”