We heard in February that Ice Cube is developing Chrome and Paint, a drama steeped in the custom car culture of South Central Los Angeles — he will write, produce, direct, and star. Cube and co-writer Eva Vives (Raising Victor Vargas) envisioned “a hardcore R-rated movie” filled with drive-by shootings. You know who this would be perfect for? Walt Disney Studios!
Or so think the studio executives: THR reports Disney is picking up Chrome and Paint with the intent to tone down “the grit factor.” Deadline suggests that Universal also showed interest the film, but bowed out because the studio has a similar project in development. Vives is working on a PG-13 rewrite to be ready for a summer shoot.
Ice Cube previously used “Chrome and Paint” to title a profane song from his 2006 album Laugh Now, Cry Later. You can watch the music video after the jump, but I don’t recommend it.
This will be Ice Cube’s first film as a director since his 1998 debut, The Players Club. More recently, Cube directed the solid 30 for 30 documentary Straight Outta L.A., which centers on the link between the L.A. Raiders and gangsta rap.
Ice Cube the actor just wrapped filming on the police drama Rampart; up next is a role in the 21 Jump Street remake. Cube is looking to reunite with Three Kings director David O. Russell for a project in the vein of Dirty Harry.