The film, simply titled “Snoop,” is being described by the studio as the “definitive biopic” of the legendary rapper, whose real name is Calvin Broadus. The project will explore the life and career of the Long Beach, California native, though details about which chapters of his journey will receive the most attention remain under wraps.
Taking on the role of the rap icon will be Jonathan Daviss, best known for his role in the Netflix series Outer Banks. The film will be directed by Craig Brewer, the filmmaker behind Hustle & Flow.
Rated R, the upcoming project marks another major Hollywood attempt to capture the journey of a rap superstar whose career has stretched across decades, from his early days with Death Row Records to becoming a global entertainer, entrepreneur, and cultural figure.
While Universal Pictures has not confirmed whether the movie will focus on a particular period of Snoop Dogg’s life or cover his entire career, the studio has experience bringing influential music stories to cinemas. Universal previously released the acclaimed Straight Outta Compton, which chronicled the rise of N.W.A, as well as 8 Mile, starring Eminem.
Snoop Dogg first revealed plans for the biopic during CinemaCon 2025 in April, where he announced that production was expected to begin during the summer.
Reflecting on the opportunity to tell his story, Snoop compared the project to the way other hip-hop legends had their journeys portrayed on screen.
“After my brothers got to tell their story with Straight Outta Compton, now it’s my turn,” the rapper told the CinemaCon audience.
He also praised director Craig Brewer’s previous work, adding: “My director, Craig Brewer, he just showed us how hard it is out here for a pimp from Hustle & Flow. And then last year, he got us all singing ‘Sweet Caroline,’” a reference to Brewer’s film Song Sung Blue.
Snoop Dogg’s upcoming biopic joins a growing list of films inspired by the lives of major hip-hop figures. Artists including 50 Cent, The Notorious B.I.G., and Tupac Shakur have also had their stories adapted for film, highlighting the increasing influence of rap culture on Hollywood.
Despite being 54, Snoop Dogg continues to remain active in music and entertainment. The rapper recently reunited with Kurupt and DJ Battlecat for the track “Me N the Boyz,” released on July 17.
Throughout his career, Snoop Dogg has achieved remarkable success on the charts, earning 45 appearances on the Billboard Hot 100. His chart history includes No. 1 hits such as “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and major collaborations including California Gurls with Katy Perry and I Wanna Love You with Akon.
With his influence spanning music, film, television, and popular culture, the upcoming biopic aims to bring the full weight of Snoop Dogg’s extraordinary career to the big screen.