Ice Cube joining 21 JUMP STREET and is shopping CHROME AND PAINT

Ice Cube is currently in talks to star opposite Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum in 21 Jump Street. He's also about to start shopping a new drama he wrote called Chrome and Paint. It's reported to be simiar to Boyz N The Hood is being set up as a starring/directing vehicle focusing on custom car culture of South Central Los Angeles.

Phil Lord and Chris Millier will be directing Cube who is set to star as the precinct captain in 21 Jump Street. This is the role that was originated by Steven Williams in the TV series. Shooting begins in late April and Neal Moritz is producing.

Cube's last directing gig was the 2010 Oakland Raiders documentary Straight Outta L.A. and before that directed1998's The Players Club. Chrome and Paint will take audiences into the world of tricked out cars and will be a drama about the temptation to place materialism above all else. Cube hopes to have the project set up with a studio within the next two weeks and to begin filming in late summer. He's producing the project with Cube Vision partner Matt Alvarez.

Cube and Alvarez have gained ground on two other projects at New Line. First up is the R-rated Dirty Hary type drama, which Cube and David O Russell are close to hiring a writer. This marks the first time that the director and star have teamed since Three Kings. Cube Vision is also producing the NWA biopic, Straight Outta Compton to be scripted by Andrea Berloff (World Trade Center).

All of these projects sound pretty awesome. I personally don't think that Cube can save 21 Jump Street, but we will soon find out. I think the other films sound great, especially Straight Outta Compton. 

What are your thoughts on this news?