Rapper biopics are starting to gain more interest in Hollywood it seems. Following the recent theatrical release of "Notorious," it's reported that pioneering west coast gangster rap group, N.W.A., is up next to bat.

A biopic tentatively titled Straight Outta Compton is reportedly in pre-production by New Line Cinema. However, the project is still in need of a director. But, Eazy-E's widow Tomica Wright, Ice Cube, and Dr. Dre are all said to be on board as producers.

A source said that director Curtis Hanson (8 Mile) is possibly in the running.

According to Entertainment Weekly, the project will "chronicle the rise and fall of the rap quartet," including their inevitable fiery break-up, a grudge match between the former bandmates, and Eazy-E's tragic death due to AIDS.

The west coast legends were credited with ushering their hardcore gangster rap into the mainstream during the late 80s and 90s. The core group includes Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, and DJ Yella.

However, they later broke up, after Ice Cube left the group in 1990 over a financial dispute and took his act solo. Soon after Cube, Dre followed for similar reasons and co-founded Death Row Records with Suge Knight. Eazy-E died tragically of AIDS in March of 1995.

Some of the members reunited years later. In 1999, MC Ren appeared on Dr. Dre's The Chronic 2001, and then Cube called on Dr and Ren for his single "Hello," off his War & Peace Vol. 2 album in 2000. There was talk of another group album with Eazy-E being replaced by Snoop Dogg, but the idea never came to fruition.

There was no word at press time, when the film was planned to begin filming, and/or when it was expected to be released.