In honor of the 20th
anniversary of ‘Menace II Society,’ I proudly present this multipart retrospective. The current chapter is posted below. To read the previous chapter, please click here. Thank you, and enjoy!
Chapter V: Gathering the Troops
The Tender Trio had gotten all of their ducks in a row. They now had a script, a star (in a
supporting role), and a studio. The
participation of Tupac Shakur ensured that Menace
II Society would be made in conjunction with New Line Cinema. It was the best deal the trio could hope for
at that time. However, there were early
signs of trouble. Tupac’s erratic
behavior was worsening by the day. The film’s
subject matter openly courted controversy.
When word of the project got around, other Black filmmakers tried to
sabotage it. The studio received a
number of angry calls. Though
undeterred, New Line was definitely cautious.
