Renowned filmmaker Craig Brewer has made a significant impact in the music film industry with acclaimed projects like Hustle & Flow and Black Snake Moan, the latter being a fantastic choice for enthusiasts of blues music featured in Sinners. Recently, Brewer teamed up with Eddie Murphy for the well-received films Dolemite is My Name and Coming 2 America. He also directed episodes of the Peacock Original series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist. Now, Brewer is set to return to his musical roots with an exciting Neil Diamond-themed film starring the talented Hugh Jackman, along with an eagerly anticipated biopic about the iconic rapper Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus Jr.
According to a recent report from Deadline, Brewer’s biopic of the legendary West Coast rapper has secured its lead actor, Jonathan Daviss, known for his engaging performances in Outer Banks and Do Revenge on Netflix. This upcoming film is being produced by Universal Pictures, a studio that previously brought audiences the blockbuster rap biopic Straight Outta Compton. In that film, the character of Snoop Doggy Dogg was portrayed by LaKeith Stanfield. Notably, this project marks the inaugural production under the new partnership between Death Row Pictures and NBCUniversal Entertainment & Studios, as the historically significant label, once owned by Suge Knight, transitions into the film industry.
As reported by Deadline, the film will explore the fascinating journey of Calvin Broadus Jr. as he made his foray into the vibrant world of West Coast hip hop. Adopting the stage name Snoop Doggy Dogg (which he later simplified), Snoop brought his distinctive laid-back delivery and incisive lyrics to Death Row Records. Here, he collaborated with the legendary Dr. Dre on his groundbreaking debut album, Doggystyle. His influence extended beyond music to various cultural spheres, and he became a familiar face alongside personalities like Martha Stewart and even made a splash at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he was a standout figure on NBC and Peacock.
In parallel, Brewer is also working on the Neil Diamond biopic titled Song Sung Blue, which he both wrote and directed. This film features Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson and narrates the uplifting true story of two struggling performers who create a vibrant tribute band dedicated to Neil Diamond. The narrative beautifully illustrates that it’s never too late to pursue love and chase after your dreams. Focus Features has slated Song Sung Blue for a broad release on December 25.
