Universal Pictures’ Snoop Dogg biopic is blazing a trail toward bringing the rap legend’s life to the screen.
The rap star surprised the crowd by starting his in-studio presentation with a performance of “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “Gin and Juice.” He also brought actor Jonathan Davis to the stage for a brief appearance to introduce the film External banks star who will play him in the planned feature.
“After my brothers were able to tell their story with them Straight from Compton“Now it’s my turn,” Snoop said of the studio’s NWA film. “The director, Craig Brewer, showed us how hard it is out here for a pimp Hustle and flow. And last year, he had us all singing “Sweet Caroline.”
“If we’re going to make a Snoop Dogg movie, I’m going to have to deal with a gangster with him,” the music star continued, before segueing into a snippet of “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang.” He also performed a snippet of the song “Deep Cover.”
Snoop said of the film: “My movie will be rated R, I guarantee it. So get your parents’ permission.”
The star was wearing a Universal necklace and described himself as part of the studio family: “I got a trailer in the parking lot next door [Steven] Spielberg. There goes the damn neighborhood. They called the fire department twice already, but there was no fire. Smoke, baby.”
He then introduced Universal Film president Donna Langley by saying, “All hail the Queen,” and gave her a matching necklace.
Director Brewer’s signature project stars Davis. brewer (Song Song Blue, Hustle and flow) The script was previously written by Joe Robert Cole and tells the story of Calvin Broadus Jr.’s eventful journey along his path to fame as Snoop Dogg.
Universal’s previous films about prominent hip-hop artists include the 2015 Oscar-nominated films Straight from Comptonwhich crossed $200 million at the global box office and features Lakeith Stanfield in the role of Snoop.
Producers include Snoop Dogg, Brian Grazer and Death Row Pictures president Sarah Ramaker. This will be the first project through Death Row Pictures’ overall deal with NBCUniversal Entertainment & Studios.
Davis is best known for his breakout role as Pope Heyward in the Netflix adventure series External bankswhich was picked up for its fifth and final season. The actor also appeared in the Netflix feature Take revenge.
Snoop Dogg is a 17-time Grammy Award-nominated artist who has also become a mainstay in television and film. his first album, Anal intercoursedebuted in 1993 from Death Row Records and is considered the only producer, Dr. Dre, to have produced the singles “What’s My Name?” And “Gin and Juice”.
Biopics of major music stars remain a priority for Hollywood. Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson film hits theaters this month, while Sony is scheduled to release four films about the Beatles in 2028. There are a slew of other projects about accomplished musicians in the works.
CinemaCon is the annual event for Hollywood exhibitors and studios that takes place this year from April 13-16. It’s the official convention of Cinema United.
