SNOOP Dogg’s larger than life story will be coming to the big screen soon enough, as director Allen Hughes confirms production is around the corner.
“That’s next. We’re starting this summer. I’m so excited,” Hughes told Variety on Tuesday night at the premiere of his FX docuseries Dear Mama, about the lives of Tupac Shakur and his mother, Afeni Shakur.
Hughes – an Emmy and Peabody award nominee whose filmography includes Menace II Society, Dead Presidents, The Book of Eli, often working with his brother Albert – will direct the yet-to-be-titled biopic.
Announced back in November, the Universal movie will be the first film produced by Death Row Pictures, following Snoop’s acquisition of the iconic label, Death Row Records in 2022.
“He surprised me with that biopic,” Hughes said of signing on to the film. “I can’t wait to go back to the hood, and do a hood story that becomes inspirational. That’s what I get from him.”
Turning to Snoop Dogg, who was also attending the premiere of Dear Mama with his wife Shante Broadus and their sons Cordell and Corde, he added: “Who’s more beloved than him in the world? He’s got such a special energy and I can’t wait to do it.”
Of course, as with any major biopic, the question is who will play the main character, Snoop in this case.
“That’s the million dollar question,” Hughes said, joking, “It’ll probably be a Brit.”
Even though this will be the first biopic focused on Snoop, the Long Beach, California native has already been depicted in movies in the biopics of other rappers.
In 2009, he was played by Anwan Glover in Notorious, the biopic for the Notorious BIG; in 2015’s Straight Outta Compton, about the pioneering rap group NWA, he was played by LaKeith Stanfield; and in 2017 he was played by Jarrett Ellis in All Eyez On Me, a film about Tupac.
Stanfield’s performance in particular was quite celebrated at the time, to the point that he was fan casted for Snoop in a full film, though nothing official has been confirmed.
At the event, Snoop shared his excitement, with a script in the works from Joe Robert Cole, who co-wrote both Black Panther films.
“With the biopic, I’m looking forward to people seeing this right here, this love story,” Snoop said, hugging his wife Broadus.
“To see the love that I have for my music career. The people that have inspired me to love. Just watching it all unfold. Coming to a theatre near you.” – The Vibes, April 21, 2023
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