Universal Pictures has added a major name to its Snoop Dogg biopic. SwayvoTwain, the son of late music legends D’Angelo and Angie Stone, will play Biggie Smalls in the film. The announcement came through Variety, which reported a wave of new casting for the project.
The movie, simply titled Snoop, is directed by Craig Brewer, known for Hustle & Flow. It stars Jonathan Daviss as Snoop Doggy Dog himself. The cast also includes Myles Bullock (Dr. Dre), Camron Jones (Tupac Shakur), Algee Smith (Warren G), Tre Hale (Suge Knight), and Laya DeLeon Hayes (Shante Broadus, Snoop Dogg’s wife).
SwayvoTwain Steps Into Biggie’s Shoes
SwayvoTwain’s casting as Biggie Smalls marks a significant role. He follows in the footsteps of his parents, both of whom were major figures in music.
Biggie Smalls, also known as the Notorious B.I.G., was a defining voice in East Coast rap. His albums Ready to Die and Life After Death are ranked at Nos. 21 and 11, respectively, in The 100 Best Rap Albums of All Time. The biopic will need to capture his larger-than-life presence, and SwayvoTwain now carries that weight.
G Perico and Bentley Green Join the Cast
G Perico is set to portray Big Reecie Cup. Bentley Green, who gained attention as a “kid rapper” on The Ellen Show, has been cast as RBX.
These additions round out a cast that already had strong names attached. The film’s core ensemble now covers the major players in Snoop Dogg’s rise.
Craig Brewer Directs From a Joe Robert Cole Treatment
Craig Brewer brings his experience from Hustle & Flow to this project. Joe Robert Cole, the writer behind Black Panther, handled the original script treatment for Snoop. His work on that film showed he can handle large-scale narrative.
The film is being produced by Sara Ramaker, president of Death Row Pictures. Snoop Dogg himself is also a producer on the project. That gives the film direct access to the man at its center.
Death Row Pictures Returns to the Big Screen
This will be the first film release under Death Row Pictures’ deal with NBCUniversal Entertainment and Studios. That deal gives the label a pathway back to the big screen.
Universal Pictures previously released Straight Outta Compton in 2015. That film told the story of N.W.A. In that movie, Lakeith Stanfield played Snoop Dogg. Now Daviss takes on the role for a film that goes deeper into Snoop’s own story.
Release Date Set for August 2027
Snoop is still nearly a year away from release. The projected release date is August 6, 2027.
The film will need to capture the range of Snoop Dogg’s career. The casting of SwayvoTwain as Biggie Smalls adds a layer of legacy to the project. His parents were both major figures, and now he steps into the role of another major figure.
Shante Broadus Gets Her Due
Laya DeLeon Hayes will play Shante Broadus, Snoop Dogg’s wife. The couple has been married for almost three decades.
The cast list shows a focus on the people around Snoop as much as on Snoop himself. Dr. Dre, Tupac, Warren G, and Suge Knight all shaped his world.
A Biopic With Real Stakes
Straight Outta Compton set a standard for rap biopics. Snoop now has a chance to follow that path with a different story.
The film also brings back Death Row Pictures as a production force. With NBCUniversal behind it, the label has major resources at its disposal.
The August 2027 date gives the team time to get it right. A biopic of this scale needs careful attention to detail. The cast is in place, the director has a track record, and Cole’s treatment forms the basis of the script.
KEY FACTS BOX
- Projected release date: August 6, 2027
- Directed by Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow)
- Original script treatment by Joe Robert Cole (Black Panther)
- Stars Jonathan Daviss as Snoop Doggy Dog
- SwayvoTwain cast as Biggie Smalls
- Produced by Sara Ramaker and Snoop Dogg
- First release under Death Row Pictures’ NBCUniversal deal
- Straight Outta Compton (2015) featured Lakeith Stanfield as Snoop
The movie has all the pieces it needs. The cast is deep, the story is rich, and the subject is still alive to guide it. Snoop now moves toward its release with real momentum behind it.
Source: pitchfork.com
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