In the works for over a decade, Universal’s biopic on rapper Snoop Dogg finally has a release date. Sticking with the formula that helped make Straight Outta Compton a success, Snoop will open in the same timeframe, August 7th 2027.
The film will be directed by Craig Brewer, who has a little bit of experience with musical films including Hustle & Flow, Black Snake Moan, and the terrific Song Sung Blue which opened last year. He came aboard last year to replace original director Allen Hughes.
This could also be a real breakout role for star Jonathan Daviss, who will play the Long Beach rapper. The 26-year-old Daviss is best known for the Netflix YA drama Outer Banks. He was last seen in the Netflix teen comedy Do Revenge.
According to Snoop Dogg himself, the film will be R-rated, as it should be. Death Row Pictures, an offshoot of the Death Row Records label that helped launch Snoop’s rap career in the ’90s, is on board to produce as part of its deal with NBCUniversal.
With the $1B success of Michael, expect a flood of similar biopics on the biggest musical artists. Straight Outta Compton, directed by F. Gary Gray in 2015, earned over $200M and an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Universal is sticking closely to the formula to try to equal or surpass that with Snoop.
