Tony, Grammy, and Emmy winner Cynthia Erivo has joined the cast of Universal’s upcoming biopic about Snoop Dogg. Erivo is set to portray Afeni Shakur, the late mother of rapper Tupac Shakur.
The film, titled “Snoop,” is described by the studio as the “definitive biopic of the entertainment mogul and icon,” Snoop Dogg. Jonathan Daviss leads the ensemble cast, which includes Myles Bullock Be as Dr. Dre, Lauren London as Snoop’s late mother Beverly Tate, and Camron Jones as Tupac Shakur. Other cast members include Algee Smith (Warren G), Tre Hale (Suge Knight), Laya DeLeon Hayes (Snoop’s wife, Shante Broadus), Olly Sholotan (Kurupt), Corey Champagne (Nate Dogg), and Jonica Booth (The Lady of Rage).
Craig Brewer, known for “Hustle and Flow” and “Song Sung Blue,” is directing the project. The film is based on Brewer’s rewrite of an original script by Joe Robert Cole, who also wrote “Black Panther” and “Wakanda Forever.” Universal has dated the theatrical release for Aug. 6, 2027.
Snoop Dogg is producing the film, which will feature music from his vast catalog. He is producing alongside Brian Grazer of Imagine Entertainment, Allan Mandelbaum, and Sara Ramaker, the president of Death Row Pictures. “Snoop” marks the first project under the overall deal between Death Row Pictures and NBCUniversal Entertainment & Studios. Ryan Jones, Senior VP of production development, and Tony Ducret, director of development, will oversee the project for the studio.
Erivo, who recently hosted “Saturday Night Live: U.K.” and starred in “Wicked” and “Wicked: For Good,” earned several award nominations for her portrayal of Elphaba. Her upcoming projects include executive producing and starring in the film adaptation of “Prima Facie,” which premiered at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, and starring in “Children of Blood and Bone.” The latter, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, features an ensemble including Viola Davis, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Idris Elba, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris, Regina King, and Lashana Lynch, and is scheduled to open on Jan. 15, 2027.
The news was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
