Universal Pictures has set its upcoming Snoop Dogg biopic, titled Snoop, for an August 6, 2027 theatrical release. Craig Brewer is directing the project, which stars Jonathan Daviss in the title role and brings several key figures from West Coast hip-hop history to the expanding cast.
Universal Pictures will release SNOOP on Friday, August 6, 2027 – wide, taking the place of the Untitled Universal Event Film. From the studio that brought audiences Straight Outta Compton and 8 Mile comes Snoop, the definitive biopic of artist, mogul and icon of gangsta rap, Snoop Dogg.
Craig Brewer (Song Sung Blue, Hustle & Flow) is set to direct the film based on his rewrite of Joe Robert Cole’s original script. Brewer most recently directed Song Sung Blue for Universal’s specialty studio Focus Features. The production marks the first project under Death Row Pictures’ overall deal with NBCUniversal Entertainment. Long revered as a visual powerhouse, Death Row Records now embarks on an ambitious new chapter with the expansion of Death Row Pictures. This strategic evolution cements the brand’s influence beyond music, ushering in a new era of innovative onscreen storytelling.
Expanding the Hip-Hop Cast in Los Angeles
Production is set to begin mid-September in and around Los Angeles, bringing on a wave of casting additions to portray key figures from Calvin Broadus Jr.’s inner circle and the broader 1990s music scene. Laya DeLeon Hayes has joined the cast to portray Shante Broadus, Snoop’s wife.
Additional casting brings in Olly Sholotan to play rapper Kurupt, Corey Champagne to portray Nate Dogg, and Jonica Booth is playing The Lady of Rage. These actors join a previously announced roster that includes Jonathan Daviss in the titular role, Myles Bullock as Dr. Dre, Camron Jones as Tupac Shakur, Lauren London as Snoop’s late mother Beverly Tate, and Algee Smith as Warren G.
DeLeon Hayes is represented by Industry Entertainment and Toczek Suddleson Law Group LLP. Sholotan is represented by Buchwald, PIZA, and Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman. Champagne is represented by Innovative Artists, CT Media, and attorney John Meigs. Booth is represented by Stewart Talent, ColorCreative, Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.
Tracing the Long Beach Roots and West Coast Legacy
The narrative chronicles the life of Calvin Broadus Jr., who emerged from Long Beach, CA, and turned into not only one of the biggest rappers of the 90s but one of the biggest pop culture icons by the end of the decade, as well as one of the most recognizable pop culture icons of his generation. The script traces his roots and rise, from his early days in Long Beach through his entry into the music industry and his world-defining partnership with Dr. Dre.
That collaboration produced his landmark debut album Doggystyle and helped define West Coast hip-hop for a generation. The film will incorporate music from Snoop’s vast catalogue.
Behind the Scenes and Production Leadership
Behind the camera, the production team carries significant industry weight. The film will be produced by Snoop Dogg and Death Row Pictures president Sara Ramaker, alongside Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer (8 Mile) and Allan Mandelbaum.
Michael Beugg and Jeb Brody will executive produce. Oversight for the studio rests with Senior Vice President of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Development Tony Ducret, who will oversee the project for the Studio.
