Run-DMC biopic to be penned by Notorious scribe

Cheo Hodari Coker, who wrote the script for Notorious, and has been contracted to pen the urban autos tale Lowriders, is attached to adapt Bill Adler’s book Tougher Than Leather: The Rise of Run-DMC for production company DJ Classicz, which is part of Davis Entertainment. This, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The biopic will explore the history of hip-hop’s first superstars – Joseph “Run” Simmons, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels and Jason “Jam Master Jay” Mizell, who was shot to death in a Queens recording studio in 2002.

Run-DMC exploded from Hollis, Queens onto the international stage with the help of future mogul and Run’s brother, Russell Simmons. An early MTV staple and platinum-selling group, they influenced much of rap’s future stars. According to the report, Run-DMC will also be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 4, 2009.

Dallas Jackson, the Davis executive who’s producing the upcoming film, is also shepherding the urban flick Lil Homiez for Overture, with Robert Townsend (Hollywood Shuffle) attached to direct, and is writing and producing The Last Dragon remake for Columbia Pictures, with Samuel L. Jackson attached to star.