Cynthia Erivo to Portray Tupac Shakur’s Mother in Snoop Dogg Biopic
WHO:
The Hollywood Reporter - Cynthia Erivo, a Tony, Grammy, and Emmy winner and three-time Oscar nominee, joined the cast of *Snoop*, Universal Pictures’ biopic of Snoop Dogg.
The Hollywood Reporter - Erivo will portray Afeni Shakur, Tupac Shakur’s mother and a former Black Panther activist.
The Hollywood Reporter - Jonathan Daviss will portray Snoop Dogg; Camron Jones will portray Tupac Shakur.
The Hollywood Reporter - Other named cast members are Myles Bullock Be, Lauren London, Algee Smith, Tre Hale, Laya DeLeon Hayes, Olly Sholotan, Corey Champagne, Jonica Booth, and SwayvoTwain.
The Hollywood Reporter - Craig Brewer is directing. Producers include Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer and Allan Mandelbaum, Snoop Dogg, and Death Row Pictures president Sara Ramaker.
Billboard - Erivo is an Oscar nominee and has added the biopic to her 2027 slate.
Coming Soon - *Wicked* star Cynthia Erivo has been cast in a significant role in Universal’s upcoming Snoop Dogg biopic.
WHAT:
The Hollywood Reporter - The film is a biopic about Snoop Dogg and will incorporate music from his catalog.
The Hollywood Reporter - Afeni Shakur’s strained relationship with her son was the subject of Tupac Shakur’s top-10 hit “Dear Mama.”
The Hollywood Reporter - Brewer wrote the latest draft of the screenplay, initially written by Joe Robert Cole.
The Hollywood Reporter - Erivo’s performance as Elphaba in the first *Wicked* movie earned Golden Globe, SAG, Critics’ Choice, NAACP, BAFTA, and Academy Award nominations.
The Hollywood Reporter - Erivo stars in the film adaptation of *Prima Facie*, which she executive produced through her Edith’s Daughter banner. It premiered at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival.
The Hollywood Reporter - Erivo is also in Paramount’s *Children of Blood and Bone*, whose ensemble includes Viola Davis, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Idris Elba, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris, Regina King, and Lashana Lynch.
The Hollywood Reporter - Erivo is represented by UTA, Entertainment 360, and Peikoff Mahan.
WHERE:
The Hollywood Reporter - *Snoop* was in production in Southern California.
The Hollywood Reporter - Snoop Dogg emerged from Long Beach, California.
The Hollywood Reporter - *Prima Facie* will be released in cinemas in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
WHEN:
The Hollywood Reporter - *Children of Blood and Bone* is scheduled to open in theaters on Jan. 15, 2027.
WHY:
The Hollywood Reporter - Afeni Shakur is a key figure in Tupac Shakur’s life and was the subject of “Dear Mama.”
HOW:
The Hollywood Reporter - *Snoop* is being made by Universal Pictures, directed by Craig Brewer, and produced by the named producers; its screenplay’s latest draft was written by Brewer.
(UPDATED November 4, 2026 22:02 UTC)
Cynthia Erivo has joined Universal’s Snoop Dogg biopic, portraying Tupac Shakur’s mother, Afeni. Jonathan Daviss will play Snoop Dogg, while Camron Jones portrays Tupac Shakur. Directed by Craig Brewer, the film is in production in Southern California and will feature Snoop’s music.