John Singleton Steps Down From Tupac Biopic

Creative differences have bested John Singleton's efforts to direct an upcoming biographical film on Tupac Shakur. The director took to Instagram to make the announcement, sharing a screencap announcing Carl Franklin (Out of Time, Homeland, House of Cards) would take lead on the project. Read his statement below, where he indicts the film's producers and references a Hollywood Reporter interview where he's voiced similar frustrations about challenges in storytelling for Black directors. Afeni Shakur, mother of the late artist, is still credited as executive producer.

Real talk! The reason I am not making this picture is because the people involved aren't really respectful of the legacy of Tupac Amaru Shakur. I won't say much if you want you can read my articles in Hollywood Reporter on authenticity in Black Storytelling ... To Pac's real fans just know I am still planning a movie on Tupac ... It doesn't matter what they do mines will be better... Tupac was much more than a hip hop artist ... He was a black man guided by his passions ... Of most importance was his love of black people and culture ... Something the people involved in this movie know nothing about... Real talk! How you gonna make a movie about a man when you suing his mother to get the rights to tell his story?! They have no true love 4 Pac so this movie will not be made with love! And that's why my ass isn't involved ! If Tupac knew what was going on he'd ride on all these fools and take it to the streets... But I won't do that ... I'll just make my own project. What Yall think about that?!!
A photo posted by JOHN SINGLETON (@realjohnsingleton) on Apr 7, 2015 at 3:53pm PDT

Photo: Getty Images/Robyn Beck