James McAvoy will make his directorial debut with the remarkable story of Scottish rappers Silibil N' Brains.
In the early 2000s, two friends from Dundee, Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, set out to con the music scene in London and then eventually California by changing their accents and posing as Americans to try and land a record deal.
The con lasted so long that they actually opened up for D12 and became friendly with Eminem.
Bain detailed the story in his memoir, 'California Schemin' (later reprinted as 'Straight Outta Scotland)' while a documentary named The Great Hip Hop Hoax was also produced.
It is the first time that McAvoy will step behind the camera for a movie, and he is delighted that his first effort is a Scottish story.
“What these two young men from Dundee attempted beggars belief and I can’t wait to bring this absolutely incredible, and also very Scottish/Californian story to the cinema,” The X-Men and Filth star told Deadline.
“Using Scottish talent behind and in front of the camera is something I’m passionate about and I’m over the moon to be making my directorial debut in my homeland. The film will first and foremost be a celebration of the Scottish spirit, but the ‘Silibil N’ Brains’ duo’s audacious fakery can’t help but appeal to audiences worldwide.”
The Great Hip Hop Hoax (2013)
Bad-mouthed California hip-hop duo Silibil n' Brains was going to make it big, but nobody knew the duo were amiable Scots with fake American accents and fake identities. When their Scottish rap act was dubbed "The rapping Proclaimers" by the scornful record industry, friends Billy Boyd and Gavin Bain pretended to be Los Angeles homeboys. And sure enough: suddenly all doors opened for them, up to a lucrative record contract. But the closer the pair get to success, the harder it becomes to keep their true identities a secret.
Directed by: Jeanie Finlay
Stars:
Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd
The project is in the very early stages of development so we don't even have a title yet, never mind rumours about casting.
After the hoax became public, both Bain and Boyd left the industry for a bit to get normal jobs, with Brains also releasing some solo material.
The duo subsequently reunited and released an EP in October 2013 called Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
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