Actor Camron Jones has joined the cast of Universal Pictures’ upcoming biographical film Snoop, portraying influential West Coast rapper Tupac Shakur. Directed by Craig Brewer and produced by Brian Grazer and Snoop Dogg, the R-rated feature is slated for theatrical release on August 6, 2027.
Casting the West Coast Icons
The biographical drama Snoop has added Camron Jones to its principal roster as the late Tupac Shakur. On Tuesday, August 25, Jones’ inclusion in the film was announced via The Hollywood Reporter. Jones, known for his work in the Amazon Prime young adult drama Panic as well as television series such as grown-ish, The Purge, and Shameless—and with an upcoming appearance in the third season of Starz’ P-Valley—joins a production that has steadily filled its key roles in recent weeks. His past credits also include studying at Magdalen College Oxford as part of the British American Drama Academy’s Midsummer in Oxford programme in 2017, and he is represented by Clear Talent Group and Venture Entertainment Partners.
The project centers on the life and career of entertainment mogul and music icon Snoop Dogg, tracing his journey from his roots in Long Beach, California, to becoming one of the biggest names in rap. Jonathan Daviss, one of the stars of the Netflix series Outer Banks, is portraying the titular rap artist. In a June 2025 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Snoop discussed why he selected Daviss for the role, stating, Jonathan is the whole thing. He's a dynamic actor. He's a great spirit and he's a learner. He's able to take things and make it better.
Additional casting additions include Myles Bullock as Dr. Dre and Lauren London as Snoop Dogg’s mother, Beverly Tate. The 41-year-old actress, known for her work in projects such as You People, Without Remorse, and Games People Play, has a history with Snoop Dogg himself, having collaborated on music videos together in the early 2000s. London was previously married to hip-hop icon Nipsey Hussle, and both she and Snoop Dogg honored him following his murder in 2019.
Behind the Lens and Death Row’s Deal
Universal Pictures is backing the feature, with Craig Brewer directing from a script that he drafted following initial work by Joe Robert Cole. Brewer previously directed Song Sung Blue for Universal’s specialty studio Focus Features, as well as films like Hustle & Flow. Production is being handled by Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer—the veteran producer behind Eminem’s semi-autobiographical drama 8 Mile—alongside company executive Allan Mandelbaum.
Snoop Dogg and Sara Ramaker, president of Death Row Pictures, are also producing the film. The project marks the first film under Death Row Pictures’ overall deal with NBCUniversal Entertainment.
The feature has been in development for a number of years, with Snoop Dogg being announced as a producer back in 2022. He stated in a release at the time: “I waited a long time to put this project together because I wanted to choose the right director, the perfect writer, and the greatest movie company I could partner with that could understand the legacy that I’m trying to portray on screen, and the memory I’m trying to leave behind.”
History on Screen and the Death Row Legacy
The relationship between Snoop Dogg and Shakur forms a crucial narrative pillar for the film. Both artists were signed to Death Row Records during the 1990s and collaborated on hits such as 2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted.
Their relationship later encountered strain when Shakur pressed Snoop Dogg to take sides in the escalating West Coast-East Coast rivalry.
Shakur remains a towering figure in music and cinema history, having served time in prison while achieving success in the recording industry and Hollywood. He appeared in movies such as John Singleton’s Poetic Justice and the crime film Gridlock’d before his fatal drive-by shooting in 1996. Nearly 30 years after Shakur was fatally shot, legal proceedings connected to the case have continued, with the murder trial of former gang leader Duane ‘Keffe D’ Davis making its way through court.
Jones steps into a role previously inhabited by a select group of actors in earlier biographical projects. Past portrayals of Shakur include Anthony Mackie in the 2009 Notorious biopic Notorious, Marcc Rose in the 2015 N.W.A. feature Straight Outta Compton, and Demetrius Shipp Jr. in the 2017 biographical drama All Eyez on Me.
Production Timeline and Release
The R-rated feature will incorporate music from Snoop Dogg’s vast catalog, reflecting a career that spans from his debut album, Doggystyle, released in November 1993, to his status as one of the best-selling rap artists of all time. Alongside his music career, the hitmaker has enjoyed success in other spheres, starring in films such as Half Baked and Training Day and releasing his own cookbook, From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes from Tha Boss Dogg’s Kitchen. Executive producers on the biopic include Michael Beugg and Jeb Brody.
Universal Pictures has scheduled Snoop to hit theaters on August 6, 2027.
