Netflix are making a film about Martin Shkreli buying Wu Tang Clan's one-of-a-kind album

The rare record cannot be released commercially until 2103

Netflix is making a new film titled Once Upon A Time In Shaolin, portraying the infamous saga behind Martin Shkreli purchasing Wu Tang Clan’s one-off album of the same name for $2 million in 2015.

The rare record cannot be released commercially until 2103 due to an 88-year copyright, however it can be released for free and played at listening parties. Despite this, the album has never been released in its full form to the public.

‘Once Upon A Time In Shaolin’ is currently in possession of a US federal court, who seized just over $7 million worth of assets from Shkreli, including a Picasso painting and Lil Wayne’s unreleased ‘The Carter V’ album, after the former pharmaceutical entrepreneur was convicted of fraud.

Wu Tang Clan have been very open in wanting to take back control of their album, however, terms of the copyright state that the group members are unable to purchase it back until the record becomes commercially available again in the 2100’s.

The forthcoming Netflix film is being directed by Paul Downs Colaizzo, while Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA is expected to take on a producer role. Written by Ian Edelman, the film will also see Brad Pitt’s production company Plan B take up a producer role.

Earlier this year, Shkreli tried to swindle an early release from prison by stating he would contribute significantly into finding a vaccine for Covid-19; his request was dismissed by the judge as being “delusional self-aggrandising behaviour”.

A release date for the film is yet to be disclosed.

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