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Spike Lee Is Directing Hip Hop-Inspired Romeo And Juliet Film ‘Prince Of Cats’

There’s a new Spike Lee joint on the way, and this time around the legendary filmmaker will direct the film adaptation of Ron Wimberly’s 2012 graphic novel Prince of Cats, itself a hip-hop adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo & Juliet.

Set in Brooklyn in the 1980’s and drawing heavily on hip-hop culture, the adaptation follows Juliet’s cousin Tybalt and his fellow Capulets as they battle with the rival Montague clan in a vibrant world that includes underground sword dueling, DJing, emceeing, breakdancing and graffiti.

Lee is also working on a rewrite of the script alongside Wimberly and screenwriter Selwyn Seyfu Hinds.

In an Instagram post, Lee confirmed the news – “Dat Cat Iz Literally Out Of Da Bag. The Next Spike Lee Joint Iz Brother Ron Wimberly’s Great Graphic Novel PRINCE OF CATS.”

The Prince of Cats adaptation continues Lee’s Brooklyn-themed saga, which includes previous productions She’s Gotta Have It, Do the Right Thing, Jungle Fever, He Got Game and Red Hook Summer.

 

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