Straight Outta Compton: Universal partners with cinemas wanting extra security ahead of gang-themed N.W.A film release

Dr Dre and Ice Cube's rap group released 'F**k the Police" in 1988

The cast and filmmakers of Straight Outta Compton (clockwise, from top left): Producer Ice Cube, director F. Gary Gray, producer Dr. Dre, actor Corey Hawkins (as Dr. Dre), Jason Mitchell (as Eazy-E) and O’Shea Jackson Jr. (as Ice Cube) (Universal Pictures)

Cinemas hiring more security for showings of Straight Outta Compton this weekend will reportedly be reimbursed by Universal Pictures.

The studio has joined forces with venues concerned about potential unrest ahead of the film's release, with heavier security also present at the LA premiere on Monday night.

The movie follows the journey of seminal rappers N.W.A and concerns focus around its theme of gangs. Recent protests against police following the anniversary of Michael Brown's death in Ferguson, Missouri have led to greater viligence, particularly as Dr Dre and Ice Cube's group released the song "F**k the Police" on their Straight Outta Compton album in 1988.

Rodney King's beating by four LA policemen in 1991 features in the music biopic, as does footage of brutal police behaviour and strong gang violence.

Straight Outta Compton album cover

Universal has not comment explicitly on the matter of security reimbursement but a spokesperson made the following statement to Variety, suggesting it would contribute to extra costs:

"Universal is proud of our association with Straight Outta Compton, which portrays the rise of five talented young men from underprivileged and oppressed backgrounds into one of the most influential music groups in modern history.

"The film has been seen by thousands of people at hundreds of screenings, all of which have happened without incident. The studio has not solicited enhanced security for theaters who will begin showing it this weekend, but has partnered with those exhibitors who have requested support for their locations."

Wider questions have been raised surrounding multiplex security after recent tragic events. Two women were killed and nine others injured by a shooting at a Louisiana screening of Trainwreck just three weeks ago and James Holmes was sentenced for the 2012 murders of 12 cinema-goers in Aurora, Colorado earlier this month.