Oscar-nominated screenwriter Stephen J Rivele and Chris Wilkinson, best known for their work on the 'Ali' and 'Nixon' biopics, have been hired to turn the story of Tupac Shakur into a movie. Due to be directed by Antoine Fuqua ('The Replacement Killers', 'Training Day'), though with no cast yet in place, it's rumoured that filming may be ready to begin in November.

Rivele told New York magazine: "I knew nothing about [Shakur prior to starting work on the script, but] it became clear [as I researched his life] that he was essentially a nineteenth century romantic poet who found himself in the 21st century". We're assuming he means '20th century' there, unless there's a very big reveal at the end of this movie. He continues: "This is the story of an artist whose character is at odds with his medium. He was a really sensitive, very romantic, talented young poet who also could sing, dance, and act. But the realities [of hip hop] were that he had to create this persona of the gangster".

He added that the script, which will completely replace an earlier version, will focus not on who shot Shakur dead in 1996, but why they would want to do such a thing to such a lovely bloke. Rivele continued: "He was obviously very angry, and had been subjected to a great deal of violence at home, in the streets and in prison. But he was just beginning to shed that anger and look for a purer voice... He was in the process of changing himself, and entering a new phase of his life - essentially a romantic vision - and had set up a new label, and a new production company to create it".

Finally, Rivele said: "He saw the contradiction between the musical persona of 'Thug Life,' and his essential nature as a gentle, sensitive person. And that was partly responsible for his murder: He was not a gangster, but the people around him were. They saw he was going to leave, that they were going to lose him, and so I think they decided to kill him".

Keith Allen and Phil Daniels are set to star in a new film, entitled 'Vinyl', documenting The Alarm's bid to get their 2004 single '45RPM' into the charts under the guise of a fake, younger band The Poppyfields - a group of teenagers who simply mimed to the track.

After making the top 30 with the single the band came clean (though many fans had already twigged who was really behind the song). Frontman Mike Peters explained at the time: "We thought we'd send the demo for '45RPM' to a few radio stations, but made out it was a new band so we could get some honest feedback. The reaction was so good that were blown away! However, we were sure the reaction wouldn't have been so positive if they knew it was The Alarm".

He added: "We noticed that a lot of bands suffered when they attempt comebacks because people generally don't believe they can ever be as good as they once were. We wanted to make sure that we are judged purely on the strength of the music, and not by our old hairstyles!"

The band, of course, had numerous hits in the 80s without having to pretend to be other people. Now the story of the hoax is being adapted into film form by director Sara Sugarman, which sees the band hatch the plot after meeting up at a funeral.

A new film depicting the life of Beach Boys drummer Dennis Wilson, who drowned in 1983, is currently in pre-production, according to WENN. Director Randall Miller and writer Jody Savin are reportedly working with the Wilson family on the project, which is set for release next year to coincide with the Beach Boys' 50th anniversary.

Miller said: "Dennis was a pained and tortured soul, yet brilliant and loved dearly by so many who knew him. This film has the makings of a tour-de-force performance in the hands of the right actor. As a director, I search for stories that expose the soul of a character in new territories that excite me as a filmmaker".

It's alright everyone, the 3D Justin Bieber biopic is back on track, 'Step Up 3D' director John Chu has, er, stepped up to become the film's new director, after 'An Inconvenient Truth' director Davis Guggenheim's recent departure from the project.

Despite the brief period without a director, filming of the movie has continued nonetheless, with behind-the-scenes footage recorded at a Bieber concert in Nashville recently. The next round of filming is apparently due to take place on 31Aug, when the popster's Madison Square Garden performance will be shot in 3D.

Chu said if his new appointment: "When I was approached about doing Justin's film, I jumped at the opportunity to tell a story with honesty and heart. Most people don't know that his is a true underdog story, and I hope to tell it in a compelling, genuine way, using all source materials available to convey his tale of becoming an icon for this digital age".

As previously reported, Guggenheim quit shortly after the film was originally announced because he suddenly realised he had to promote his new documentary, 'Waiting For Superman' (and not because he was embarrassed, okay?). The film is due to be released in February and will star Bieber as himself.

In other Bieber news, the teen star will be getting some practice at pretending to be someone else soon, as he's been asked to reprise a recent cameo he filmed for US cop show 'CSI'. The singer appears in the first episode of the eleventh season of the show, due to air in the US in September. Last week it was announced that he would make a second appearance in the show in February, and that it might turn out that the pop star's character is actually a villain.

The show's makers said: "Every 20 years, a phenomenon like Justin Bieber graces our world. We'd like to believe that the phenomenon of 'CSI' has had the same impact on popular culture. The opportunity to bring them together in the premiere is a great treat for our audience and all of its new viewers. This will be true event television".

On Bieber's character, writer Carol Mendelsohn added: "We think he's this really good kid who's put in this very bad situation. But we will get a glimmer at the end of the [first episode] that perhaps he's not the good kid we thought!"

No, James Bourne's Son Of Dork musical hasn't been picked up for a West End run (though it's still surely only a matter of time). Instead, former Busted frontman Matt Willis is set to play a lead role in 'Flashdance The Musical'. He will star alongside proper actress Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, who has most recently played Rizzo in 'Grease'.

Currently in rehearsals, Willis' first preview performance will take place on 24 Sep, with press night set for 14 Oct.

Willis said via Twitter: "I am finally gonna be in the West End! Wanted to since I was fourteen! This is gonna be awesome!"

But anyway, this Son Of Dork musical we mentioned. All you need to know about that is contained within this video: vimeo.com/10906298

Formed in 1981, Ministry are pretty much entirely responsible for industrial metal, and were hugely influential for numerous in that genre and beyond over the last twenty years or so. The band's frontman Al Jourgensen is also endlessly entertaining, so I am banking on the upcoming documentary about the band, who split in 2008, also being very entertaining.

'FIX: The Ministry Movie' is due for release later this year. Here are two trailers for you to look at with your stupid, fat eyes:

youtu.be/FKaigvNKTXk

youtu.be/oH7OVMXD_mY

The long-awaited Broadway musical 'Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark', featuring music and lyrics by Bono and The Edge, will finally open in December, it has been announced. As previously reported, the production ran into financial difficulties last August, forcing it to be halted for a number of months. The team behind it insisted that they were still on track to start running preview shows in February this year, though a source told the Hollywood Reporter in October that it was "a $45 million mess".

That claim seemingly turned out to be true, as the previews were cancelled and all tickets refunded in January this year. However, producer Michael Cohl has now announced that the first preview performance will take place on 14 Nov, with the opening night proper set to take place on 21 Dec at the Foxwood Theatre in New York.

The delays have meant that the show has now lost its big-name stars. Alan Cumming had been due to play The Green Goblin, but pulled out in April to be replaced by Patrick Page, while Evan Rachel Wood, who had been cast as Mary Jane, has now been replaced by Jennifer Damiano. The part of the lead character will be played by the newcomer Reeve Carney.

The only thing that was sort of interesting about the forthcoming Justin Bieber biopic was that it had a bonafide Oscar winner directing it, Davis Guggenheim, who was responsible for pointing a camera at Al Gore's PowerPoint slides in 'An Inconvenient Truth'. Sadly, he's now dropped out, possibly because everyone in the world spent that last two days asking why he was doing it. Many, I would imagine, to his face.

Actually, he reportedly left because he realised that he would be too busy promoting his forthcoming documentary 'Waiting For Superman' to hit the 11 Feb release date scheduled for the Bieber film. The hunt is now on to find a replacement.

As previously reported, Bieber will be played by pop star Justin Bieber in the 3D movie.

Yeah, you're only just getting over the news that Justin Bieber has penned an autobiography (albeit an illustrated one fairly light on words), so I'm sorry to lay this one on you so soon. A new biopic chronicling the eventful life of the sixteen year old popster so far is scheduled to released in February next year. Oh, and it'll be in 3D, so you can enjoy that haircut in its full glory.

But who could possibly play Bieber? Who could capture the character of his face, the knowledge and experience held in his eyes? Why, how about... Justin Bieber. Yes, he'd be perfect. No one else could possibly pull it off. Except for perhaps James Van Der Beek. Though Bieber wins out this time because he not only looks exactly like Justin Bieber but was there when it all happened, so won't really have to rely on any acting skills too much. Maybe James Van Der Beek could do the sequel.

Directed by Davis Guggenheim, best known for directing 'An Inconvenient Truth', will be released in the US on 11 Feb 2011.

The wheels have apparently not fallen off the previously reported Spice Girls musical just yet, though why it's taking so long to attach a weak story to a load of the group's songs is beyond me. I mean, presumably a wannabe wants to spice up a life, or something. Whatever, Emma Bunton says work on the show is "going great".

Bunton told Digital Spy: "It's all going great. We've all been getting together for meetings. We're working with Judy Craymer, who worked on 'Mamma Mia!', the musical and film. She's great! It's lovely for us girls as well to have a project to work on again".

On the subject of the 'story', she added: "It will be a very different story and not based on our actual lives, so we won't be looking for people to play us, but we are going to be involved in the casting. So, don't worry, the girls will make sure there are plenty of good looking boys in there!"

For the record, the only pop-based musical CMU approves of is the Son Of Dork one:  vimeo.com/10906298

When the original 'South Pacific' film was made in 1958 the resulting soundtrack spent 115 weeks at number one in the UK album chart, 70 weeks consecutively, including an entire year. I wonder how it will do this time round.

Music publisher Imagem, who, as previously reported, now own the catalogue and company of the late 'South Pacific' writing Rodgers & Hammerstein, have announced they have entered into a deal with Amber Entertainment and Chicagofilms to make a new movi version of the Broadway musical, a move which will presumably result in a resurgence of interest in the show's soundtrack.

Confirming the deal, Imagem CFO Denis Wigman who, with his background in film, will oversee the publisher's involvement in the new movie, told CMU: "I am thrilled that Imagem will be a partner in this latest adaptation of 'South Pacific' for the screen. We see great opportunities to reintroduce this timeless classic to movie audiences all over the world".

Nick Cave has revealed that his 2009 novel 'The Death Of Bunny Munro' is to be turned into a film. The story follows the final days of sex-obsessed travelling salesman Bunny Munro after the suicide of his wife. It's funnier than that description suggests (but also more disturbing).

According to Empire, Cave told the Dundee Literary Festival last month that Ray Winstone has been "dying" to play the lead character ever since he first introduced the actor to the project, before the book was even written. The whole venture actually began life as a screenplay you see, but Cave decided to write it as a novel after he failed to drum up any interest for the film version. He said recently: "[Winstone] really loved the script when we first handed it to him. He was really excited about it, and really distressed when it kinda tanked and never got made".

He added that he hoped that John Hillcoat would direct. Hillcoat directed Cave's last film, 'The Proposition', in which Winstone also starred.

Trent Reznor has revealed that he's working on the soundtrack for an upcoming movie based on the life of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg during the website's rise to internet prominence. Entitled 'The Social Network', the film is directed by David Fincher and, according to Reznor, is rather "dark".

Writing on the official Nine Inch Nails website (though it's not entirely clear if the soundtrack will be released under the NIN name), Reznor said: "David Fincher started enquiring about my interest in scoring his upcoming film, 'The Social Network'. Yeah, the movie about the founding of Facebook. I've always loved David's work but quite honestly I wondered what would draw him to tell that story. When I actually read the script and realised what he was up to, I said goodbye to that free time I had planned. [Long-term collaborator] Atticus Ross and I have been on a creative roll so I asked him if he wanted to work on this with me and we signed on".

He continued: "Months later, I'm happy to tell you we're nearing the completion of this and I couldn't be happier with how it's turned out. ... As Atticus and I near the end of the scoring process, we're looking forward to the next phase - distilling the large amount of music we've written for this down to a satisfying record (or two)".

The film is due to open in the US on 1 Oct, with Reznor and Ross' soundtrack scheduled to be released as an album in mid-September.

That Will.i.am bloke has told Vibe that the Black Eyed Peas are set to work with James Cameron on a 3D tour DVD, Cameron being the go-to guy for 3D since he made that silly 'Avatar' film.

Discussing the project, the always modest Peas man said: "We have the biggest director, because we are the biggest group on the planet. The Peas are filming it in South America. People will be able to see us in the theatre with the 3D glasses and everything".

So that's exciting isn't it? Imagine that people, not just shit songs, but shit songs in 3D. That's three times as shit. Good times.

Michael Jackson's mother Katherine is reportedly involved in a film project that will look back at Jacko's life using family videos. According to TMZ, producer Howard Mann has agreed to an eight figure sum to secure the rights to the private footage of Jackson. It's not entirely clear what form that film or films will take, though there is speculation there may be more than one edition, presumably with each one documenting a different bit of Jackson's life - you know: child star, young adult star, weird star, weird.

A film is in development that will be built around the story and songs of 1975 Kinks album 'Schoolboys In Disgrace'. Kinks man Ray Davies is an executive producer on the project. The seventies long player was all about a "naughty schoolboy" and his fight with the educational establishment. If I remember rightly, the story ends with the increasingly rebellious school boy becoming Mr Flash, the villain of previous Kinks albums 'Preservation Act 1' and 'Preservation Act 2'. Oh for heyday of the concept album.

The 'Schoolboys' movie is being written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait who told The Hollywood Reporters: "'Schoolboys In Disgrace' is a story that any kid who has felt that they are not being treated fairly can relate to, all set to some of the greatest rock songs you'll ever hear. It's the genesis story of a supervillain set to music. It's the story of the world's most charming criminal and a realistic high school musical for all the kids who hate sugary, sweet, unrealistic high school musicals".

Tony Christie is to make his West End debut when he joins the cast of jukebox musical 'Dreamboats And Petticoats' on 5 Jul. The crooner will play the role of Older Bobby and Phil, Bobby's father. Christie says: "I saw the show's original opening night in London almost a year ago and just loved the story. And of course the music is incredible - The Platters, Phil Spector, Roy Orbison, Marty Wilde - all artists I grew up listening to. As soon as I saw it I've been searching for a gap in my diary to join the show". The show was first staged in London at the Savoy Theatre following a UK tour, but has been playing at the Playhouse Theatre since January.

Ice Cube is to direct a film all about NWA, which Dr Dre will reportedly produce. I'm not sure if it's a documentary or a biopic, though I sort of get the impression it's the latter.

Ice Cube is as much a film player as he his a music man these days, of course. Confirming his plans to capture the story of his original music venture on film, he told AllHipHop.com: "I think [a movie is] the ultimate ... tribute [to] the group and what the group meant to the world".

Marilyn Manson will star opposite his fiancé, Evan Rachel Wood, in a new horror film, 'Splatter Sisters', which is being directed by David Gordon Green on 'Pineapple Express' fame.

Green told reporters: "This is a role Marilyn Manson was born to play, and with Evan Rachel Wood bringing dramatic gravity to the ensemble, I have no doubt this will take the horror genre to a new level".

Mary J Blige will star in a new Nina Simone biopic which will go into production later this year. The film, written by Cynthia Mort, will focus on Simone's relationship with her assistant Clifton Henderson, who will be played in the movie by 'The Last King Of Scotland' star David Oyelowo.