"Straight Outta Compton" Lands Paul Giamatti to Play N.W.A. Manager

"Straight Outta Compton" finally has a big name attached, as Paul Giamatti has signed on to play Jerry Heller in the movie.

Straight Outta Compton Paul Giamatti
Courtesy of Paste
Straight Outta Compton Paul Giamatti

The casting process for the N.W.A. biopic, Straight Outta Compton, has had its fair share of problems, what with racist call sheets and the drama over not giving Eazy-E's son a role, but the movie's producers at least have a little something to celebrate now.

Hollywood's utility man Paul Giamatti has signed on to play N.W.A.'s group manager and Ruthless Records label head, Jerry Heller, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He'll join Jason Mitchell as Eazy-E, Marcus Callender as Dr. Dre, and Ice Cube's son O'Shea Jackson as Ice Cube (right now I'm just glad to be reminded that Ice has a son named O'Shea). 

For his part, Giamatti continues to spread his wings and choose unexpected projects. Just last year he also starred in the Christmas special for Downton Abbey—it's safe to say this upcoming gig will be the polar opposite of that one.

1.

2.

[via THR

Latest in Pop Culture