14 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Filming Of 'Straight Outta Compton'

Straight Outta Compton exploded into movie theaters and became one of the most successful music biopics. With all the trouble the original NWA got into, you wouldn't expect the movie to be filmed without something happening. Well, let me tell you – from actual shootouts to important stars not wanting to be involved, filming the NWA's origin story was no walk in the park for the filmmakers or the actors. Take a look at what made this movie so good – and so difficult to make!

1. The letter sent from the FBI to NWA is housed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

2. Straight Outta Compton beat Walk the Line for biggest opening of a music biopic!

3. Eazy-E and M.C. Ren actually belonged to the Kelly Park Compton Crips.

They used to sell drugs and run with the gang before NWA formed.

4. To help the actors get into character, they re-recorded NWA's entire Straight Outta Comptonalbum.

5. "Bye, Felicia" was added by O'Shea Jackson Jr. as an homage to his father.

6. The film was released 20 years after Eazy-E's death.

7. Dr. Dre was inspired by the film to record his first album in over 15 years.

It dropped on August 7th, 2015.

8. The film hasn't been shown in Compton because the town doesn't have a movie theater!

9. While filming the movie in Compton, the cast and crew witnessed a drive-by shooting outside the Compton courthouse.

No one was injured, but there were gang signs flashed.

10. F. Gary Gray, the director of the movie, also directed the music video for Natural Born Killaz.

11. Dr. Dre didn't want to be involved with the movie, but Ice Cube sent him the script and having F. Gary Gray as the director sealed the deal.

12. Ice Cube is actually from Baldwin Hills, not from Compton.

Close enough, though!

13. O'Shea Jackson Jr., who plays his father Ice Cube, auditioned for two years, wanting desperately to get the role.

14. Snoop Dogg was actually calling himself Snoop Doggy Dogg at the time portrayed in the movie, not Snoop 'D-O-Double-G'

Got a favorite member of NWA?

What was your favorite part of the movie? COMMENT and let me know!