Nate Parker has been roped in to direct detective drama "Black & Blue" making it his first helming project since "The Birth of a Nation." "Black & Blue" is based on the life of Los Angeles Police Department detective Ralph Waddy, who died last year, reported Deadline.

Parker is rewriting Jim McGrath's script. M B Entertainment's Steven Jensen has bought Waddy's life rights. He will produce along with Darren Enenstein, Shondrella Avery, Adam R Sanders, and Lenny Rosenberg. Avery will also act in the film. The producers plan to begin filming in July in Los Angeles.