Jonathan Daviss, best known for his role as Pope in Netflix’s Outer Banks, has officially been cast to portray legendary hip hop icon Snoop Dogg in Universal Pictures’ upcoming biopic. The casting comes shortly after the studio tapped Hustle & Flow and Dolemite Is My Name director Craig Brewer to helm the project.
The untitled film will explore the life and legacy of Calvin Broadus Jr., better known as Snoop Dogg, from his early days in Long Beach to becoming a West Coast rap staple through Death Row Records. It will chronicle the rise of the laid-back lyricist behind Doggystyle, his creative partnership with Dr. Dre, and his evolution into a global entertainer whose influence spans music, TV, cannabis, and pop culture.
A New Chapter for Death Row Pictures
This film marks the first feature under Death Row Pictures’ new overall deal with NBCUniversal Entertainment & Studios. The company, with Snoop Dogg at the helm as producer alongside Brian Grazer and Death Row Pictures president Sara Ramaker, is expanding beyond music into storytelling across film and television.
Brewer will also revise the screenplay originally penned by Black Panther: Wakanda Forever co-writer Joe Robert Cole. Universal’s SVP of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Development Tony Ducret are overseeing the project for the studio.
Daviss Steps Into a Legendary Role
Hailing from Houston, Daviss has been steadily building his resume with projects like Do Revenge, Edge of the World, and Age of Summer. Landing the role of Snoop Dogg positions him to make a significant leap in his career, taking on one of the most recognizable and culturally impactful figures in music history.
Universal’s Legacy with Hip Hop Biopics
This Snoop Dogg film continues Universal’s trend of exploring the formative stories of hip hop legends. The studio previously found box office and critical success with Straight Outta Compton (chronicling N.W.A.) and 8 Mile, which starred Eminem and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
The film also arrives on the heels of Snoop Dogg’s standout commentary stint during the 2024 Paris Olympics on NBC and Peacock. He is set to return to NBC’s The Voice this fall for Season 28, further strengthening his ties with the network.
As Death Row Pictures begins its evolution from record label to content powerhouse, the Snoop Dogg biopic is positioned as a cornerstone of its expansion—and a celebration of a singular legacy in hip hop and entertainment.