Law enforcement agencies and theater operators are beefing up their security forces in preparation for the screening of "Straight Outta Compton," a biopic that chronicles the lives of N.W.A rappers including Ice Cube, Eazy E and Dr. Dre.
There are also rumors going around that state distributor Universal Pictures is willing to financially assist film theaters that will require additional security services.
"Straight Outta Compton" premiered on Aug. 11 in Los Angeles. According to Variety, during the premiere event, the Los Angeles Police Department teamed up with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office to provide additional police presence.
In some LA theaters, moviegoers were greeted with metal detectors and additional security personnel.
As noted by The Guardian, the heightened security is in response to the recent shooting incidents inside cinemas in the U.S. Also, the film premiered after a state of emergency was declared in Ferguson, MO, following the death of an 18-year-old African-American protester.
The victim was shot by a police officer during a rally for the death anniversary of Michael Brown, the unarmed teen who was gunned down by law enforcers on Aug. 9, 2014.
Due to the brewing tension between law enforcers and citizens and the film's themes of gang violence and police harassment, police and theater operators have decided to carry out additional precautionary methods.
With the film's nationwide release set on Aug. 14, theaters in different cities have also started to increase the number of their security guards. Since additional guards mean more expenses, Universal Pictures has reportedly partnered with theaters to provide assistance, according to Daily Mail.
However, as noted by Deadline, this does not automatically mean that Universal will reimburse the additional security expenses of cinemas.
"Universal is proud of our association with 'Straight Outta Compton,' which vividly portrays the rise of five taented young men from underprivileged and oppressed backgrounds into one of the most influential acts in modern music history," the studio said in a statement.
"The film has been seen in hundreds of screenings, all of which have occurred without incident," Universal added. "The studio has not solicited enhanced security for theaters that will be showing the film this weekend, but has partnered with those exhibitors who've requested support in their locations."
"Straight Outta Compton" was directed by F. Gary Gray and produced by Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. O'Shea Jackson, Ice Cube's son, will portray the young version of his father in the film while Corey Hawkins will play Dr. Dre.
Jason Mitchell was cast as Eazy E while Aldis Hodge and Neil Brown Jr. will take on the role of the other N.W.A. members MC Ren and DJ Yella, respectively.
