Insiders at New Line Cinema are suggesting that the long-in-development N.W.A. biopic is ready to move forward, yet original helmer John Singleton (Boyz ‘n the Hood) isn’t one of the three names on the studio’s short list to direct.

Instead, Vulture reports that Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow), F. Gary Gray (Friday) and Peter Berg (um, nothing that would suggest he could make an N.W.A. biopic) are in the running to tell the controversial rap outfit’s story through film. For those unfamiliar with late-80s, West Coast gangster rap, N.W.A. stands for "Niggaz Wit Attitudes." The group consisted of a very young -- and extremely angry -- Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E and MC Ren. Their debut album Straight Outta Compton single-handedly put gangster rap on the map, even as it drove a wedge between East and West Coast artists.

An N.W.A. biopic could be awesome if handed to the right filmmaker. Singleton, at one point, seemed like he could be the guy. And even though he told The Playlist that he’s negotiating with Cube on the project, Singleton’s a lot closer to genre fluff like Abduction and Four Brothers than he is to his 1991 calling card Hood.

Of the three names listed, Brewer makes the most sense. I’ve yet to see his Footloose remake, but Flow proves he understands the rap culture, and you know he’d treat the material with reverence and respect. Gray also could hold his own, and he has history with Ice Cube. As or Berg … well, it would seem he’s better suited for the likes of Hancock or Battleship. I’m glad to hear the N.W.A. biopic is back on track. Now let's see who gets to tell the tale.