Columbia Pictures, under the leadership of Vice President Maia Eyre, is set to produce a feature-length film about the life of the legendary DJ Screw, with Travis Scott and Isaac Yowman as executive producers. The biopic’s announcement comes as a significant tribute, coinciding with the 22nd anniversary of DJ Screw’s passing on November 16th.
DJ Screw’s sister, Michelle Wheeler, expressed her enthusiasm and gratitude for the project, stating, “Continuing the legacy of my brother is most important. The process honestly has been exciting. I’m like, wow, we’re really about to make a movie. Nearly a dozen film directors and producers had approached us over the years, but this was the first time I actually felt fully comfortable. I’m very thankful for Sony and Travis being on this journey with us, helping keep my brother Screw’s legacy going.”
Travis Scott’s involvement in the biopic materialized through a serendipitous meeting at the Cactus Jack team’s office in Los Angeles. Isaac Yowman, reflecting on their initial conversation, said, “When I went up to the LA office with my bro Earl, and the entire Cactus Jack team was there. Trav and I talked for over an hour about how epic this could be… bouncing ideas. The love for Screw was mutual, and he told me I had his full support. We’re both raised in Mo. City so this means that much more to have him be a part.”
Jeron Smith, who facilitated the initial life rights deal, highlighted the project’s significance, stating, “This film is the ethos of what the Incubation Lab partnership stands for, pairing Isaac and Travis who are both non-traditional storytellers is what it’s all about.” The biopic is set to delve deep into DJ Screw’s life, requiring extensive research and development.
Yowman emphasized the collaborative efforts in creating an authentic portrayal, noting, “There’s been so much work done over the last year. The studio and I, alongside Travis’s team, have been connecting with writers — identifying the best way to tell this story on paper. Screw is a music icon; in the South, he’s like a God, so there’s a level of delicacy when tapping into his story. That noted, I’m grateful as hell to have his sister Michelle and brother Charles in my corner as a support system. I don’t know everything, and there’s so much information out there, so being able to talk to legends like Lil’ Keke, Bun B, and D-Reck and get unbiased perspectives has been helpful with me navigating through the process.”
DJ Screw, the pioneer of the “chopped-and-screwed” music style, left an indelible mark on the hip-hop community. His untimely death in 2000 was attributed to a codeine overdose and fatal drug intoxication. Travis Scott, a long-time admirer of Screw’s work, previously paid homage to the icon in his song “R.I.P. Screw” from his 2018 album Astroworld.
Michelle Wheeler’s optimism about the film underscores its importance in celebrating and preserving DJ Screw’s legacy. “Continuing the legacy of my brother is most important,” she reiterated. “The process honestly has been exciting. I’m like wow, we’re really about to make a movie.”
The biopic is set to be a heartfelt and comprehensive tribute to DJ Screw, ensuring that his contributions to music and culture continue to resonate with new generations.
(Originally read on Deadline)