Spike Lee and Kanye West to make film for Amazon

Spike Lee is set to make his next film for Amazon Studios and is lining up Kanye West for a key role, according to TheWrap.

Little is known about the project, other than its title, Chiraq, which is a nickname given to Chicago in reference to its similarities with Iraq after an increase in gun violence. As well as a role for West, Lee is also rumoured to be speaking with Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Piven and Common to co-star.

The project would be a major boost for Amazon Studios, which is keen to extend its creative output. The main focus so far has been on TV shows, with recent hits including the Golden Globe-winning Transparent and crime drama Bosch. The company recently signed up Woody Allen for a forthcoming TV series.

Lee’s last film was Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, a vampire film funded on Kickstarter. It received largely negative reviews. If West is cast, it would be his first non-cameo performance in a film. Piven’s involvement would depend on his Mr Selfridge schedule, while Jackson is currently filming a role in Quentin Tarantino’s latest The Hateful Eight. Common recently won an Oscar for his song from Selma and also starred in last month’s Liam Neeson thriller Run All Night.