'Straight Outta Compton' premiere features famous faces, heightened security

HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Security took center stage during the Los Angeles premiere of Straight Outta Compton Monday night.

The Los Angeles Police Department reportedly tripled security for the red-carpet event, which featured famous faces such as Ice Cube, his son O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Gabrielle Union, Dwayne Wade, Dr. Dre and others.

According to reports by L.A. Weekly and The Wrap, premiere attendees had to walk through metal detectors at entrances and exits.

Security officers included those from the LAPD's Central Bureau and the Gang Enforcement Detail, but Officer Mike Lopez told reporters that security is increased at most Hollywood premieres. Although the '80s and '90s-themed film highlights gang-related subject matters, trouble wasn't explicitly expected at the event.

"We're going to have quite a few officers out there who will take care of any situation that arises," Lopez told L.A. Weekly. He told The Wrap, "We will have plenty of resources and officers there in case of any emergency."

Straight Outta Compton follows the story of N.W.A. from its origins in Compton, Calif. in the '80s. Original members include Dr. Dre (Corey Hawkins), Ice Cube (O'Shea Jackson Jr.), the late Eazy-E (Jason Mitchell), MC Ren (Aldis Hodge) and DJ Yella (Neil Brown Jr.).

Producer Ice Cube said ahead of the star-studded screening that it took years for Straight Outta Compton to become a reality.

"It was one of the hardest movies I ever had to get made," he said. "It's been a four-year process and that's just actual process. But as the dream, it goes back almost 10 years."

Dr. Dre recently released his first album in 15 years, "Compton," in honor of the film's release on Aug. 14. The famed rapper and producer will donate all royalties from the record to help fund a performing arts and entertainment facility in the city.

"I've been really trying to do something special for Compton and just couldn't quite figure out what it was," he said on Apples Beats 1 radio show last week. He said the city's mayor, Aja Brown, helped him come to the decision to help with the development.