Cynthia Erivo to play rap legend’s mother in Snoop Dogg biopic
Cynthia Erivo (Getty Images)
Cynthia Erivo has joined the cast of Universal Pictures’ Snoop Dogg biopic, Snoop, and will play Tupac Shakur’s mother, Afeni Shakur.
Erivo’s role is described as a key one, with Afeni Shakur a former Black Panther activist and the subject of Tupac’s hit “Dear Mama”. The film is currently in production in southern California, reports The Hollywood Reporter.
The film stars Jonathan Daviss as Snoop Dogg, with Camron Jones cast as Tupac Shakur. Craig Brewer is directing, and the latest script draft is based on Joe Robert Cole’s original script.
Who else is in the cast of Snoop?
As well as Daviss, Jones and Erivo, the ensemble includes Myles Bullock Be as Dr Dre, Lauren London as Snoop’s late mother Beverly Tate, Algee Smith as Warren G, Tre Hale as Suge Knight, Laya DeLeon Hayes as Snoop’s wife Shante Broadus, Olly Sholotan as Kurupt, Corey Champagne as Nate Dogg and Jonica Booth as The Lady of Rage.
The film will incorporate music from Snoop Dogg’s catalogue, and is being produced by Snoop Dogg alongside Brian Grazer, Allan Mandelbaum and Death Row Pictures president Sara Ramaker.
When is Snoop expected to be released?
Universal has dated Snoop for theatrical release on August 6, 2027.
The new role for Erivo comes after an incredible few years, playing Elphaba in both Wicked movies, performing in a one-woman production of Dracula in London’s West End, and landing the lead role in Prima Facie, a film adaptation of the hard-hitting stage show.
Erivo, who is queer, joins the Snoop Dogg biobic after he has previously drawn headlines for making homophobic remarks and later for including an LGBTQ+ couple in a kids’ series after criticism about LGBTQ+ inclusion in children’s films.
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