The role of Tupac in All Eyez On Me is played by Demetrius Shipp, Jr., according to reports from TMZ and Instagram posts from the film’s set.
The celebrity news site says that Shipp’s father worked in the music industry and met Tupac when the actor was a child.
Producer L.T. Hutton asked Shipp to take the part in the Morgan Creek film because of similarity in appearance to the West Coast Rap legend. Shipp took acting classes four times a week to prepare for the role.
Actor Hill Harper also wrote about Shipp getting the role on Instagram.
“‘A coward dies a 1,000.deaths, a soldier…'” he writes in a photo collage. “Shooting #alleyezonme My brotha from anotha @dshippjraeome throwin’ it down as #Pac!!! #rideordie#meagainsttheworld #brendasgotababy #rosefromconcrete #ifidietonight#tupacmovie.”
Shipp and producer L.T. Hutton reposted the image.
All Eyez On Me is directed by Benny Boom.
Tupac was portrayed by Marcc Rose in this summer’s N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton.
View some of the social media posts below:
