Jones, known for his work in “P-Valley” and “Panic,” joins “Outer Banks” star Jonathan Daviss, who was previously announced to play the legendary rapper in the film, titled “Snoop.” The project is being directed by Craig Brewer, whose credits include “Hustle and Flow,” “Dolemite Is My Name” and “Song Sung Blue.”
Myles Bullock has also joined the cast as Dr. Dre, the influential producer who discovered Snoop Dogg and played a major role in launching his career. Dre produced Snoop’s debut studio album, “Doggystyle,” which topped the Billboard chart following its release in 1993.
Tupac and Snoop’s Lasting Friendship
Jones’ casting as Tupac adds an important chapter to the story, given the close friendship and professional relationship between Tupac and Snoop during the 1990s. The two rappers were labelmates at Death Row Records and collaborated on the celebrated track “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted.”
Their friendship remained one of the notable relationships in hip-hop during that era, despite tensions surrounding the Death Row camp and the broader East Coast-West Coast rivalry. Tupac was killed in Las Vegas in 1996 at the age of 25.
London, meanwhile, will portray Beverly Tate, Snoop Dogg’s mother, who was also known as Beverly Broadus-Green. Tate is credited with giving her son the childhood nickname “Snoopy,” which eventually became the inspiration for his iconic stage name. She died in 2021 at the age of 70.
Snoop Dogg Set for 2027 Release
Universal has scheduled “Snoop” for release on Aug. 6, 2027, describing the project as the “definitive biopic of the entertainment mogul and icon.”
Snoop Dogg himself is producing the film and is expected to contribute music from his extensive catalogue. He is producing alongside Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer, Allan Mandelbaum and Death Row Pictures president Sara Ramaker.
Brewer is directing the film from his rewrite of a screenplay originally written by Joe Robert Cole, who co-wrote both “Black Panther” films. The collaboration brings together filmmakers with experience in music-driven stories, biographical dramas and major studio productions.
The film also represents a significant milestone for Death Row Pictures. “Snoop” is the first project to emerge from the company’s overall deal with NBCUniversal Entertainment & Studios. Universal executives Ryan Jones, senior vice president of production development, and director of development Tony Ducret will oversee the project for the studio.
Who Are the New Cast Members?
Jones has built a growing résumé across television and film. He is perhaps best known for playing Bishop in “Panic,” the young adult drama based on Lauren Oliver’s bestselling novel for Amazon’s Prime Video. His other credits include “grown-ish,” “The Purge” and “Shameless.”
A California native raised in San Ramon, Jones began acting as a child before earning a BFA in acting from the University of Southern California. He also studied at the British American Drama Academy in Oxford, where his training included Shakespeare.
He is set to appear as Quan in the highly anticipated third season of Starz’s “P-Valley.”
London, a Los Angeles native, brings her own extensive entertainment background to the project. Her credits include “ATL,” “Without Remorse,” Netflix’s “You People” and “Games People Play.” Beyond acting, she has worked as an entrepreneur and activist, including efforts focused on mental health awareness.
With Daviss portraying Snoop, Jones as Tupac, Bullock as Dr. Dre and London as Beverly Tate, the biopic is beginning to take shape as a film centered not only on Snoop Dogg’s rise to fame but also on the people and relationships that influenced his life and career.
The Hollywood Reporter first reported Jones’ casting, while Deadline was first to report London’s involvement.