Outside of the United States, few will have heard of the television series
21 Jump Street, and while in itself it is indicative of how weak in concept and writing American television was in the late 1980s- at least relative to the quality common on the major networks today- it was notable as the series that propelled Johnny Depp into the public consciousness. Over twenty years on, with seemingly no stoned left unturned in plundering the original ideas of previous generations, this celebrated series may receive the Hollywood treatment with no-lesser a name than
Ice-Cube. According to
Deadline, the one-time NWA rapper is in negotiations for a role by Columbia Pictures who see their R-Rated silver-screen version of the crime drama as a perfect vehicle for
Jonah Hill and
Channing Tatum. In line with the TV series, the two young actors will play police officers employing their youthful looks to go undercover at colleges and high schools, with Ice Cube portraying their boss and mentor, Captain Dickinson. Written by
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World scribe
Michael Bacall l receiving as
John Hughes meets
Bad Boys, - the film will be helmed
by Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs directors
Chris Miller and
Phil Lord. Neil H Moritz produces with original co-creator Stephen J Cannell receiving a post-humous credit and both lead actors taking executive producer roles. The film is due to begin principle photography in late April for a March 16, 2012.