Cheo Hodari Coker, the screenwriter responsible for the recent film Notorious, is adapting a biography about Run-DMC for the big screen.

The movie, entitled Tougher, will chart the history of the hip-hop collectives three members - Joseph 'Run' Simmons, Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels and Jason 'Jam Master Jay' Mizell, who was killed in 2002.

Coker is developing a script for the movie based on an authorised biography by the group's former publicist Bill Adler, who will act as an executive producer on the film.

Tougher will be produced by DJ Classicz president Dallas Jackson and his production partner John Davis, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Jackson said Run-DMC's history was “an extraordinary rags-to-riches journey that I'm eager to bring to the screen”.

He added that he hoped to have the involvement of the group's remaining members Run and DMC, and their founder Russell Simmons.

The group, who formed in 1983, are widely regarded as one of the host influential hip-hop acts of all time. They are due to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this spring.

Coker's recent work on Notorious, which follows the rise and tragic ending of rapper Notorious BIG, has won huge critical acclaim.

(by Jason Gregory)