Music video director Benny Boom is in talks to helm the film.

American film studio Morgan Creek is looking to Hype Williams protege Benny Boom to direct their Tupac biopic. Morgan Creek have been working to bring the late rapper’s story to the silver screen for years, and the company’s rights to Tupac’s music expire at the end of the year. If the film hasn’t commenced production by then, the rights will be handed back to Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur.

John Singleton was originally tapped to direct the film following a host of false starts and disagreements over who owned the rights to Tupac’s story. The Boyz n the Hood and Poetic Justice director walked away from the project in April and was replaced by Devil in a Blue Dress director Carl Franklin. Franklin exited the project quietly about a month ago.

Morgan Creek have now opened negotiations with music video director Benny Boom. The filmmaker has previously directed two low-key features but is best known for his music videos, which include 50 Cent’s ‘Just A Lil Bit’, Busta Rhymes’ ‘Touch It’, Ciara’s ‘Goodies’, Nelly and Kelly Rowland’s ‘Dilemma’ and Nicki Minaj’s ‘Beez in the Trap’.

A trailer for a low-budget Chinese Tupac biopic surfaced earlier this month. [via The Hollywood Reporter]