After being yanked from the theatrical release schedule a month before its premiere, the Johnny Depp–led Biggie narrative City of Lies is looking for a new home.
While some speculated the film's hold could have something to do with Depp’s desperate need for a financial advisor, or a lawsuit accusing him of assault and battery on the film’s set last April, but it’s ultimately because Global Road Entertainment is in financial trouble.
As the Wrap reports, the distribution company was formed last year after acquiring Open Road Entertainment, which brought us the Boston Globe drama Spotlight. In the aftermath of that merger, Global Road is trying to fight off bankruptcy by selling off movies—City of Lies included.The Hollywood Reporter notes the company is also preparing for layoffs.
If the film ever does make it to the big, small, or any screen, viewers will get to see another drama about the aftermath of the Notorious B.I.G. murder, this time starring Depp and Forest Whitaker. Depp plays real life detective Russell Poole, and Whitaker stars as a journalist, both of whom are investigating Biggie’s unsolved murder that took place in March 1997.
Check out a trailer for the film below.
Re: those current legal troubles, a script supervisor for City of Lies told THRDepp didn’t assault anyone. She alleges Depp argued with the location manager who is suing him, but threw no punches. According to Emma Danoff, the fight between Depp and Greg "Rocky" Brooks happened because Brooks was berating a homeless black woman with "racial and derogatory slurs."
"He immediately stood up from our shared seat on the edge of a planter bench and went over to Brooks to stand up for the woman," Danoff said. "Mr. Depp said to Mr. Brooks, 'You can’t talk to her like that. You think she is something less than you? Who do you think you are? How dare you?'"
If that’s the case, then kudos to Depp. Stay tuned to see if City of Lies is coming anytime soon to a screen near you.
