Actor and rapper Fredro Starr is stepping behind the camera to direct his first narrative feature, The Tunnel, a coming-of-age drama set in the legendary New York City nightclub that defined an era of hip-hop and nightlife culture. Leading the film is Deyshaun Tucker who is currently starring in Carl Weber’s The Family Business.
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The indie film, produced by 100 MAD Company, follows two high-spirited college basketball players determined to have the night of their lives as they fight to get into the iconic club, The Tunnel. Blending action, comedy, love, and adventure, the story aims to capture the heart of New York’s golden age of hip-hop—an era that shaped a generation and left an indelible mark on the city’s nightlife scene.
Tucker is set to portray a young man grappling with love, loyalty, and legacy during one unforgettable night that could change everything.
The Tunnel nightcluboperated from 1986 to 2001 and was housed in the historic Terminal Warehouse Company Central Stores Building. The venue became a cultural landmark and a staple of New York City nightlife, particularly within the hip-hop community, as documented in Complex’s Oral History of The Tunnel.
Drawing inspiration from Fredro Starr’s own experiences, including themes from his memoir BACDAFUCUP: The Story of Onyx, the project is a deeply personal tribute to a vibrant chapter of Black and brown creativity and nightlife in New York.
Currently in development, The Tunnel is co-written by Fredro Starr and Jason Latief Anderson, with additional casting announcements to come. The film is set to begin principal photography in June 2025 in New York City.
For those unfamiliar with the club’s influential legacy, explore Complex’s oral history of The Tunnel here.
Stay tuned for updates on this tribute to one of New York’s most iconic nightclubs and the voices that made it unforgettable.