Netflix has reportedly won a bidding war for an Ava DuVernay-produced and directed feature-length documentary about Nipsey Hussle, according to Deadline.
The rumored figure that secured the deal is believed to have been in the "high eight figures," following a competition for the rights that was also described as "intense." The Hollywood Reporter adds that the deal was believed to be in "the teens." Whatever, you're not her accountant. Just know it was a lot.
Apple and Amazon were also thought to have been serious players for the film before the agreement was reached with Netflix.
Work on the movie is set to begin less than a year after Nipsey was fatally shot in South Los Angeles.
Previously, as in not that long ago (January 26, 2020) DuVernay also introduced a tribute to the late rapper at the Grammys.
The Nipsey movie will be DuVernay's first return to documentary filmmaking since the mass incarceration doc 13th was released in fall of 2016. In the time since, she has directed the 2018 science adventure film A Wrinkle in Time, in addition to creating the Emmy-winning When They See Us, and the soon to come out (as in tomorrow) Cherish the Day.
Nipsey's estate is said to have reached out directly to DuVernay due to their admiration for her past work, specifically for 13th and When They See Us.
THR adds that, during the awards season campaign for 13th, DuVernay had recruited Nipsey as a panelist to hear his insights on how for-profit prisons were destroying inner-city communities.
