Ava DuVernay is Directing a Nipsey Hussle Documentary for Netflix

We’re coming up on the anniversary of the murder of Nipsey Hussle

February 11, 2020 - 11:03

We’re coming up on the anniversary of the murder of Nipsey Hussle. Now, one of the most prolific directors of our generation will be telling his story. Ava DuVernay will be directing a documentary on the life of Nipsey, and it will be distributed by Netflix.

According to multiple news outlets, the rights to the documentary caused a bidding war, and the final bid was between $13 and $19 million. The touching aspect of this story is that Deadline is reporting, the family of Nipsey reached out to DuVernay because they wanted her to be responsible for telling his story.

https://twitter.com/Slausongirlnews/status/1227042114502119424

When Nipsey was killed last year in March at the age of 33 in Los Angeles, just outside his clothing business, it seemed like everyone wanted a piece of his legacy. Multiple stories about him were written, people were eager to get a real sense of the love between him and his wife, Lauren London, but who would be able actually to capture his real life? His legacy is profound, and DuVernay whose body of work is staggering and commendable now has the honor. Her previous documentary for Netflix is 13th, and her feature films and series include Selma, A Wrinkle In Time, and When They See Us, among others.

People on social media were initially apprehensive that Nipsey’s life would be coming to Netflix, but once they saw who would be at the wheel of this project, they had a change of heart.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8ae3FpJ2qZ/

“When I first saw the headline I was a little bit skeptical,” @kyndall__smith tweeted, “But then I saw Ava Duvernay was behind it, and I immediately felt better about it.”

“Ava and Nip had huge respect for each other and Nip highly always praised her whenever it came to her directing anything!!” @LaurenLNipsey tweeted. “It’s a W for me. Better than any other director that didn’t know Nipsey at all.”

DuVernay has yet to comment publicly about the deal, nor has his widow. London did, however, post a statement by The Marathon Clothing, Nipsey’s venture.

“Nipsey’s company Marathon Flims, will present his feature film documentary executive produced by RocNation and his two children Emani and Kross Asghedom,” his family wrote. “No final deal has been inked. We are currently in negotiations with Netflix for this project with Ava DuVernay, and her company ARRAY to co-produce. This documentary is very important to the family and will not be fast tracked by monetary gain and/or commercial interest.”