Is New Jack City Getting a Reboot on Netflix?

New Jack City is the 1991 classic crime drama directed by Mario Van Peebles. The film has retained the status of a cultural benchmark in its genre, noted for its depiction of the then-ongoing crack cocaine epidemic in New York City.

Likewise, there were unforgettable performances, especially from Wesley Snipes as the ruthless drug lord Nino Brown. The film has enjoyed a cult following over the years and remains a potential candidate for reboots or sequels.

There is currently a rumor going around that a reboot is in the works for Netflix, reportedly starring Academy Award-winning actor Mahershala Ali. However, both claims are untrue.

These are just rumors, as Netflix or the producers behind the film did not come out with an official announcement. Indeed, a New Jack City The reboot was announced in 2019 and is being written by Malcolm M. Mays, but few details are known. It is not scheduled for release until 2024.

Original screenwriter Barry Michael Cooper even talked about a prequel/sequel titled Nino Brown’s Diary: The Monster That Reagan Created.

Amid all the noise, Wesley Snipes has argued that the original film should have been left as it was, because of its cultural relevance and the contribution it made to the development of film history.

Now that it is in the air, the future of New Jack City remains unclear but interesting.

Was New Jack City based on a true story?

Wesley Snipes, Vanessa Williams and Nick Ashford in a still from the film (Photo via Warner Bros.)

No, New Jack City is not necessarily a true story. However, it is important to note that it borrows elements from actual events and social issues that were prominent in the 80s and 90s. In particular, it is inspired by the crack cocaine epidemic that was sweeping through urban communities at the time.

The film’s screenplay, co-written by Barry Michael Cooper and Thomas Lee Wright, was adapted from several sources: Cooper’s account of an investigation into the drug war in Detroit. It was also based on the story of Nicky Barnes, a real-life drug lord who modeled his Harlem criminal organization on that of the Mafia.

The film’s gritty depiction, along with the rise and fall of a drug lord, points to the harsh reality that befalls those caught in this cycle of poverty and crime. It’s a story that complicates matters beyond stereotypes with multi-dimensional characters.

Wesley Snipes gave an excellent performance as Nino Brown (photo via Warner Bros.)

They all have their own reasons and problems, the problem even lies in the power, corruption and destruction that the drug trade brings.

If the exact events shown in New Jack City If it is fiction, then the film is a very loud social statement about how unfair it is and about the system that perpetuates this drug crisis.

New Jack City doesn’t back down from anything, not even showing his rather pointed depiction of how drugs destroy lives and vandalize entire communities. It also raises questions about finding solutions to the drug problem.

What’s happening in New Jack City?

Ice-T and Mario Van Peebles (image via Warner Bros.)

New Jack City follows the life and drug empire built by Nino Brown, played by Wesley Snipes. He is a ruthless drug lord who rose to power at the height of the crack cocaine epidemic that swept through New York City in the 1980s. Nino and his gang, Cash Money Brothers, or CMB, take over the Carter Apartment complex.

They kicked out the tenants and tore down their crack house. As Nino’s power continues to grow in New Jack CityA detective named Scotty Appleton tries his best to bring him down. Appleton tries to find an informant within Nino’s gang, a former junkie/drug addict named Pookie.

But the plan fails and Pookie is murdered. Undaunted, Appleton goes undercover with his partner Nick Peretti to gather enough evidence against Nino. New Jack City Then, all the brutal methods Nino uses to maintain his power are shown, including murder and violence.

The opening title sequence of New Jack City (image via Warner Bros.)

The film also describes some personal details of the characters. Some of these personal details include information about Nino’s affair with Selina and the tension between Appleton and Peretti.

In the final confrontation, Appleton faces Nino, who confesses to killing his mother many years ago during a gang initiation.

Nino is arrested and brought to trial, only to be confronted with his attempt to pin the blame entirely on his cousin Kareem, played by Christopher Williams. However, Nino is murdered outside the courthouse by an old man seeking revenge, and his crime empire comes to an end.

New Jack City is now available to stream with a subscription on Paramount+, to rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video and Apple TV, and to purchase on Fandango at Home, Prime Video or Apple TV.

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