Cynthia Erivo Joins Snoop Dogg Biopic as Afeni Shakur

Cynthia Erivo is now part of the Snoop ensemble, Universal Pictures’ biographical film about Snoop Dogg, and will portray Afeni Shakur, the mother of rapper Tupac Shakur. The film is in production in Southern California and is scheduled to open in theaters on August 6, 2027.

Jonathan Daviss stars as Snoop Dogg, who rose to prominence from Long Beach, California, in the 1990s. Camron Jones plays Tupac Shakur. The ensemble also features Myles Bullock in the role of Dr. Dre, with Lauren London playing Snoop’s mother, Beverly Tate; Algee Smith as Warren G; and Tre Hale as Suge Knight.

Other cast members include 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. Afeni Shakur was a Black Panther activist and the subject of Tupac’s song “Dear Mama.”

Craig Brewer is directing and rewrote a screenplay first written by Joe Robert Cole. The production is backed by Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer and Allan Mandelbaum, alongside Snoop Dogg and Sara Ramaker, who heads Death Row Pictures. The film will use music from Snoop Dogg’s catalog and marks the debut project covered by Death Row Pictures’ broader agreement with NBCUniversal Entertainment & Studios.

Erivo, a Tony, Grammy and Emmy winner and three-time Oscar nominee, previously starred as Elphaba in Universal’s Wicked films. She will next appear in the film adaptation of Prima Facie, which made its debut during the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival and is due in UK and Ireland cinemas on November 13.