Showtime is developing a drama project that is being described as "Boyz n the Hood" meets "The Wire" — and the director of "Boyz n the Hood" is on board.

The Hollywood Reporter’s Live Feed reports that the new project, on which “Boyz n the Hood” director John Singleton will co-write and executive produce, is "Snowfall," a 1980s period piece about the rise of a young man becoming a drug-dealing superstar.

The project has also tapped writer Eric Amadio ("Columbus Day") to co-write and executive produce, the story notes. Singleton will direct if the project gets a pilot order.

The drama will look at the 1980s cocaine era through the eyes of a young African-American from Compton, Calif., a Mexican wrestler, and a CIA agent. "Described tonally as in the vein of 'Boyz n the Hood' meets 'The Wire,' Showtime bought the pitch for the drama that will explore the stranger-than-fiction true story of how [crack cocaine] changed Los Angeles. The drama is told through the eyes of a young man who would become the world's first superstar drug dealer," THR reports.

The report also notes: "Singleton has two other projects in development — a Miami-set club drama and New York-centered society entry — both at HBO. The Academy Award nominee's credits include 'Shaft,' '2 Fast 2 Furious,' 'Four Brothers' and 'Baby Boy.'"

John Singleton