Kid Cudi to Portray Basquiat in Film He’ll Write and Direct

WHO:

Deadline - Kid Cudi will write, direct, and star in a film about artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Variety - Kid Cudi will portray Jean-Michel Basquiat in the film *Jean*.

XXL Mag - Identifies Jean-Michel Basquiat as the subject of the biopic starring Kid Cudi.

WHAT:

Rolling Stone TV Movies - Kid Cudi said, “I finally said fuck it, ima write it myself,” explaining that he wrote the Basquiat biopic himself.

Deadline - Kid Cudi announced that he will write, direct, and star in a film about Basquiat’s life.

Variety - The film is titled *Jean*; Kid Cudi announced it on social media and posted images of himself in character.

Deadline - Kid Cudi described the film as “A Love Letter to Jean, the 80s & NY City.”

Deadline - Kid Cudi said, “For years people have asked me about playing” Basquiat.

Variety - Kid Cudi said, “For years people have asked me about playing” Basquiat.

WHEN:

Variety - Filming is scheduled to begin in 2027.

WHY:

Deadline - Kid Cudi described the project as a love letter to Basquiat, the 1980s, and New York City.

(UPDATED October 21, 2026 22:19 UTC)

Kid Cudi will write, direct, and star as artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in a new film titled *Jean*. He announced the project on social media and shared images of himself in character. Cudi said he wrote the biopic himself, explaining, “I finally said fuck it, ima write it myself.” He also noted that people have asked him for years about playing Basquiat. Cudi described the film as “A Love Letter to Jean, the 80s & NY City,” framing the story around Basquiat and the era and place that shaped its setting. The project will bring together Cudi’s roles as writer, director, and lead performer. Filming is scheduled to begin in 2027. The film will focus on Basquiat’s life, with Cudi portraying the artist in the title role.

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(UPDATED October 21, 2026 20:19 UTC)

Kid Cudi is set to play artist Jean-Michel Basquiat in a new film, and he’ll also write and direct the project. Titled *Jean*, the film will tell the story of Basquiat’s life. Cudi announced the project on social media, where he shared images of himself in character. He said that for years, people have asked him about playing Basquiat, and now he is taking on the role himself. Cudi described *Jean* as “A Love Letter to Jean, the 80s & NY City,” framing it as a tribute to Basquiat, the decade, and New York City. Filming is scheduled to begin in 2027. The project brings together Cudi’s work as a performer and filmmaker, with him leading the film both in front of and behind the camera.