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Jonathan Daviss has been cast as Snoop Dogg in Universal Pictures’ upcoming biopic about the rap icon’s life and legacy. The news was exclusively confirmed by Deadline on June 9, 2025.
For the uninitiated, Jonathan Daviss is best known for his role as Pope Heyward in Netflix’s teen adventure drama Outer Banks.
The yet-untitled Snoop Dogg project will be the first feature from Death Row Pictures, a production label headed by the rapper and Sara Ramaker. It is operating under a deal with NBCUniversal Entertainment & Studios. Craig Brewer, known for Hustle & Flow and Dolemite Is My Name, will be directing the film, and the screenplay is originally penned by Black Panther co-writer Joe Robert Cole.
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Snoop Dogg also shared his excitement over Daviss's casting with an Instagram post on June 9, 2025, with the caption saying "it's time."
"let’s go nefew !! 👊🏿💪🏿🎶 🎥 it’s time 🙏🏿✅ @jonathandavissofficial."
More about Jonathan Daviss
Jonathan Daviss has played Pope Heyward in the Netflix series Outer Banks, which is currently in production for its fifth and final season. He has also appeared in Netflix’s black comedy Do Revenge (2022), co-starring Maya Hawke, Camila Mendes, Austin Abrams, and Sophie Turner.
His earlier film work includes Age of Summer and Edge of the World. Originally from Houston, Texas, Daviss now lives in Los Angeles and is represented by Monster Talent, Innovative Artists, and Skrzyniarz & Mallean.
Details about the Snoop Dogg biopic
The film will focus on the life of Snoop Dogg, born Calvin Broadus Jr., capturing his journey from his beginnings in Long Beach to his rise within the West Coast hip hop scene. It will feature his early collaborations with Dr. Dre under the Death Row Records label, including the release of his landmark 1993 debut album Doggystyle.
According to the Deadline report, the story will also depict the rapper’s continued reinvention and cultural presence. It will depict various events, ranging from his work in music and television to his appearances at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he gained attention for humorous commentary during NBC and Peacock’s coverage.
The rapper's recent projects include a return to NBC’s The Voice, where he will be a coach in season 28. Universal Pictures describes the biopic as the first authorized, large-scale portrayal of the hip-hop icon’s life, covering his influence on rap music and his broader influence on pop culture. The studio acquired life and music rights from Snoop in 2022, shortly after he gained ownership of Death Row Records.
While the film has yet to be titled or receive a release date, its creative team and casting choices signal that development is underway. As reported by Variety, Universal chief Donna Langley shared an official statement in November 2022:
“Snoop Dogg’s life and legacy make him one of the most exciting and influential icons in popular culture… We are humbled to be able to create the lasting document of this singular artist.”
As of now, further casting details and production timelines have not been made public.
Universal Pictures has a track record of producing major films about hip hop’s most influential figures. The studio previously released 8 Mile (2002), a fictionalized account of Eminem’s early career, which earned over $250 million worldwide. It won an Oscar for Best Original Song for Lose Yourself.
In 2015, Universal released Straight Outta Compton, which was about the rise of N.W.A. LaKeith Stanfield was cast as Snoop Dogg for the film. According to Box Office Mojo, the film grossed over $200 million and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
