Preview:
- A Snoop Dogg biopic is in the works.
- Director Craig Brewer will handle the movie.
- ‘Outer Banks’ Jonathan Daviss has been cast as Snoop.
The spate of musical biopics in the works continues, and the latest is for someone we’re actually surprised hasn’t already gotten a fully authorized one.
Universal, which has seen box office and awards success with the likes of ‘Straight Outta Compton’ and ‘8 Mile,’ is putting the pieces together for a Snoop Dogg movie. Yes, the star of ‘The Underdoggs’ (okay, he’s done more than that –– see below) will be the focus of a biopic with Brian Grazer and Snoop himself among its producers.
4bPoq1uMr4MdNZVIA5rPB5Deadline reports that Craig Brewer (‘Hustle & Flow’) is on board to make the movie, and is going to do a pass on the script, which originated with ‘Black Panther’s Joe Robert Cole.
It’s all part of a deal that Snoop’s Death Row Pictures production company hatched with NBCUniversal Entertainment in April this year.
This was Snoop’s comment at the time:
“Not everyone has the courage and vision to see what Death Row Pictures can bring to the table, but Donna and the NBCUniversal team have always understood, which is why I am proud to call NBCUniversal my new home. The Dogg has officially moved into the neighborhood, ya dig?”
Jonathan Daviss, who plays Pope in the Netflix series ‘Outer Banks’ has won the role of Snoop, per Deadline.
Related Article: Snoop Dogg and Tika Sumpter Talk New Sports Movie ‘The Underdoggs’
What is Snoop Dogg’s story?
Snoop Dogg, born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. on October 20, 1971, in Long Beach, California, is a legendary figure in hip-hop and an influential pop culture icon. His nickname “Snoop” came from his mother, who thought he resembled Snoopy from Peanuts.
The neighborhood where he grew up was a tough one, and he was involved in gangs and had multiple run-ins with the law.
Snoop was discovered by Dr. Dre in the early 1990s and was featured on Dre’s 1992 debut solo album “The Chronic.” He released his debut album “Doggystyle” in 1993, which debuted at No. 1 and became a classic West Coast G-funk record.
Released numerous albums across several labels including “Tha Doggfather, ” “R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece,” and “Doggumentary” His hits include “Gin and Juice” and “Who Am I? (What’s My Name?)”
Snoop has showed a knack for re-inventing himself, including as Snoop Lion in 2012 during a reggae phase and spiritual journey to Jamaica, before returning to rap and even venturing into gospel with 2018’s “Bible of Love.”
He’s collaborated with a wide variety of artists across music genres including Tupac Shakur, Pharrell Williams and Katy Perry.
The famed stoner has turned his favorite pastime into a business, investing in cannabis businesses, but diversifying to tech, and media (including acquiring Death Row Records in 2022, and expanding it into his Death Row company).
On screen, he’s appeared numerous movies, including ‘Training Day,’ ‘Baby Boy,’, ‘Soul Plane’ and ‘Starsky & Hutch.’ On television, he has made memorable guest appearances on shows such as ‘The Boondocks,’ ‘Empire,’ and ‘Monk,’ and has hosted his own series. He was a big hit at last year’s Paris Olympics.
And, perhaps most surprisingly, he’s a good friend and frequent collaborator with culinary and home furnishing icon Martha Stewart.
This year, Snoop sparked controversy when he agreed to perform at one of Donald Trump’s inaugural balls.
Here’s how he responded on Instagram to criticism of the decision:
“It’s Sunday I got gospel in my heart. For all the hate I’m going to answer with love, I love too much. Get your life right, stop worrying about mine. I’m cool. I’m together. Still a Black man. Still 100 percent Black. All out ’til you ball out or ’til you fall out.”
What else has Craig Brewer worked on?
While Brewer made his directorial debut with 2000’s ‘The Poor & Hungry,’ it was ‘Hustle & Flow’ in 2005 that really saw him break out. The movie, which starred Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson in the story of a Memphis pimp in a mid-life crisis who attempts to become a successful hip-hop emcee.
It scored an Oscar nomination for Howard and hip hop group Three 6 Mafia took home a statuette for their song “It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp.”
Brewer went on to the likes of ‘Black Snake Moan,’ the ‘Footloose’ remake, and two projects with Eddie Murphy, ‘Dolemite is my Name’ (which features Snoop in a role) and ‘Coming 2 America.’)
His latest movie, ‘Song Sung Blue,’ which chronicles the ups and downs of Lightning and Thunder, a Milwaukee husband and wife Neil Diamond tribute act, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, is due in theaters on Christmas Day.
When will the Snoop Dogg biopic be on screens?
It’s too early for any release date news on this one –– we’ll have to wait and see how quickly the movie comes together, but Daviss’ casting is certainly a positive step forward.
List of Biopics Based on Musicians:
- ‘Sid and Nancy‘ (1986)
- ‘The Doors‘ (1991)
- ‘Ray‘ (2004)
- ‘Walk the Line‘ (2005)
- ‘I’m Not There‘ (2007)
- ‘Control‘ (2007)
- ‘Nowhere Boy‘ (2010)
- ‘The Runaways‘ (2010)
- ‘Get on Up‘ (2014)
- ‘Love & Mercy‘ (2015)
- ‘Bohemian Rhapsody‘ (2018)
- ‘Rocketman‘ (2019)
- ‘The Dirt‘ (2019)
- ‘Elvis‘ (2022)
- ‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody‘ (2022)
- ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story‘ (2022)
- ‘Maestro‘ (2023)
- ‘Bob Marley: One Love‘ (2024)
- ‘Back to Black‘ (2024)
- ‘Girl You Know It’s True‘ (2024)
- ‘A Complete Unknown’ (2024)
