Spike Lee's 'Chiraq' is Based Off Ancient Greek Play and Will Star Kanye West

Spike Lee‘s new film is a musical comedy centering around gang violence in Chicago. Titled Chiraq, the film is based on the ancient Greek play Lysistrata about one woman’s effort to end the Peloponnesian war by persuading all Greek women to withhold sex from their husbands and lovers until peace is negotiated. The same concept, which has been adapted to films and plays before in the context of the Iraq War, college sports, and other conflicts, will this time be applied to the windy city’s epidemic of gang violence. The movie won’t be released until next year, but so far the cast is impressive. Kanye West, Common, Jennifer Hudson, John Cusack, and Samuel L. Jackson are all reportedly taking part. According to Screen Daily, Amazon has signed on for the U.S. release, which could mean major distribution. Keep an eye out for what should be an amazing soundtrack as the project continues to take shape.