Ice Cube’s career arch is a truly fascinating one. Somehow he went from hardened N.W.A. rapper to comedy film star. Consider the transition complete, because Cube has now signed on for his first every Disney feature, and it’s a big one: He’ll produce and star in the studio’s new musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic Oliver Twist from Hamilton director Thomas Kail.
Cube will take on the role of Fagin, the leader of the pickpocket crew into which the title character falls. In addition to producing and starring, the actor/rapper will write the treatment for the musical alongside fellow producer Jeff Kwatinetz. The modern retelling is looking to utilize a number of genres for the musical portions, including hip-hop. If that’s true, the production is actually in very appropriate hands with Cube and Kail at the helm.
Disney has adapted the beloved tale before as the 1988 animated musical Oliver & Company, which featured a cartoon cat as Oliver.
