Jonathan Daviss is leaving the Outer Banks for the West Coast. The actor has landed the starring role in Universal’s upcoming biopic about the rap legend Snoop Dogg.
Snoop Dogg is producing the project, described by the studio as the “definitive biopic about the entertainment mogul and icon,” alongside Brian Grazer and Death Row Pictures president Sara Ramaker. The film is the first project under Death Row Pictures’ overall deal with NBCUniversal Entertainment & Studios. The yet-to-be-titled film will be directed by Craig Brewer (“Hustle and Flow,” “Dolemite Is My Name,” the upcoming “Song Sung Blue”), who will contribute revisions to a screenplay previously written by Joe Robert Cole (co-writer of both “Black Panther” movies).
Daviss is best known for starring as Pope in the hit Netflix YA series “Outer Banks,” which is set to end with a fifth and final season. Daviss also starred in the streamer’s teen black comedy “Do Revenge,” opposite Maya Hawke, Camila Mendes, Sophie Turner and Austin Abrams, and his filmography also includes movies like “Age of Summer” and “Edge of the World.” The Houston, Texas, native currently resides in Los Angeles. Daviss is represented by Monster Talent, Innovative Artists and Skrzyniarz & Mallean.
The Snoop Dogg biopic was first announced in 2022, with the landmark deal for the rapper’s life and music rights shepherded by Universal chief Donna Langley.
“Snoop Dogg’s life and legacy make him one of the most exciting and influential icons in popular culture,” Langley said in a statement at the time. “We met with Snoop shortly after he acquired Death Row Records and had the opportunity to hear his story in his own words. We are humbled to be able to create the lasting document of this singular artist.”
The movie follows in a long line of successful musical biopics from Universal, including 2002’s “8 Mile,” starring Eminem, which earned $250 million at the box office and won an Academy Award for best original song for the anthem “Lose Yourself,” as well as 2015’s “Straight Outta Compton,” which chronicled the rise of the seminal rap group N.W.A.; Snoop Dogg was featured in the movie and played by LaKeith Stanfield. The film earned more than $200 million at the box office and was nominated for an Oscar for best original screenplay.
Senior VP of production development Ryan Jones and director of development Tony Ducret will oversee the Snoop Dogg project for the studio.
Deadline was first to report news of Daviss’ casting.
Read the full article here
