Los Angeles: The long-in-development Tupac Shakur biopic 'All Eyez on Me' finally kicked off production with a lead actor in place. Newcomer Demetrius Shipp Jr has been tapped to play the rap legend, reported Ace Showbiz.

Producer LT Hutton chose Shipp as the lead actor because he appears to have a close physical resemblance to Shakur. No official announcement was made, but Shipp has confirmed the casting news by posting some photos and videos from the set of the movie.