Brandon Cronenberg, Son Of David, Set For Feature Directorial Debut ‘Antiviral’
While the director’s chair has yet to be filled for “Straight Outta’ Compton,” the biopic on the influential gangsta rap group N.W.A., it sounds like casting for the project might be already creating a stir, particularly in the hip hop world.
Lil’ Eazy E — imaginatively taking on the moniker of his father — has revealed that there’s a “high probability” of him playing his father in the project, despite his lack of acting experience and the fact he’s yet to formally audition. “I’m just like my father,” added the rapper, who was 11 years old at the time of his father’s passing. We’re not really sure whether we should take the claim seriously but if he has any acting abilities (he’s noted to “have trained with an acting coach in the past”), at least he’d have the research part of the role covered.
Even though John Singleton revealed to us he was early discussions to helm the project, it was later revealed that three other directors were, in fact, on the shortlist for the project including Craig Brewer, F. Gary Gray and Peter Berg. No word on when the production could get underway but at least things look to be inching forward slowly; the same can’t be said for the Tupac biopic which has seemingly been halted with the exit of Antoine Fuqua.
Another famous offspring following in the footsteps of his father is the son David Cronenberg, Brandon, who is now set to direct his first feature film after a couple of acclaimed shorts. In typical Cronenberg fashion, Brandon’s feature titled “Antiviral” sounds as twisted and as fascinating as his father’s early work. And damn, he kind of looks like him too.
The story will be “set in a near future world very similar to our own with the exception that celebrity obsession has now reached such a scale that the very famous are striking deals with scientific labs who culture their viral infections and sell them to fans desperate for a more intimate connection to their idols.” Niv Fichman (“Hobo With A Shotgun“) is on board as a producer with principal photography set to begin next month.