James Ellroy (Dark Blue) has written the script for the upcoming Rampart movie (which is based on the late 90’s scandal surrounding the L.A.P.D.’s Rampart Division), which will be directed by Oren Moverman (The Messenger) and will star Woody Harrelson (Zombieland, The Messenger) as an utterly corrupt cop, involved with such dodgy dealings as bank robbery, drug dealing, planting evidence, and conducting a number of unprovoked shootings, among other things.
Ben Foster (The Messenger) has also been confirmed to be appearing in a key role, and more recently the latest cast member has been announced as none other than the N.W.A.’s (Niggaz With Attitude) Ice Cube; who, despite his musical background, is no stranger to being in front of, or behind the camera as he has appeared in several big movies (including Three Kings, the second XXX movie, and Boyz n the Hood), and been involved as a writer, director, and producer on several others.
Now it’s no secret that Ice Cube harboured a fair bit of contempt for the L.A.P.D. back in the day (releasing songs, as part of the N.W.A., with titles such as ‘Fuck Tha Police’, kind of gave that away), and as this film will be dealing with one of the worst scandals in the history of not only the L.A.P.D. (who only really top this one with the earlier Rodney King incident), but but all law enforcement, it must have been a dream project from Mr. Cube, who will be playing a black detective who, instead of showing out for the white cop, will be actively pursuing the drug dealing perjurer that Harrelson plays.
It looks like the movie is now going full steam ahead (a film based on the scandal has been planned for a number of years, but always seems to stall unexpectedly), and should begin filming this summer; meaning that, all things being well, it could be released by the middle to end of next year, or at the latest 2012.
For more information on the scandal, film’s and TV shows that have been influenced by it, and the previous work of the attached cast, read our previous news report, and stay tuned for any future updates.
