(AllHipHop News) Acclaimed director John Singleton stopped by The Breakfast Club to promote his new BET series Rebel.
During the conversation, Singleton revealed one of his most celebrated movies could have had a different lead actor.
“I was going to do Poetic Justice. I was putting it all together. Janet [Jackson] was already in. Originally, Ice Cube was supposed to be in it, and Ice Cube didn’t want to be in a romance,” said the 49-year-old filmmaker.
Cube – who worked with Singleton on Boyz n the Hood and Higher Learning – apparently was offered the role of Lucky which was eventually given to Tupac Shakur.
“Chicks like you,” Singleton apparently told Ice Cube about starring in the 1993 romantic drama. “[He said,] ‘I can’t do that right now in my career.’”
Singleton also dispelled the rumors that Pac was forced to take an HIV test before appearing in kissing scenes with Jackson.
“That was a joke between all of us on set because all guys like Janet,” Singleton recalled.
This is not the first time Singleton shared a Hollywood story about a rap star that turned down a part in one of his projects.
Back in 2015, he discussed how Ja Rule refused $500,000 for 2 Fast 2 Furious.
The production hired Ludacris instead, and the Atlanta rhymer went on to appear in several more blockbusters from the Fast & Furious franchise.
Rebel debuts on BET tonight (March 28) at 10 pm ET.