Kid Cudi to Star as Jean-Michel Basquiat in ‘Jean’ Film He Directed & Wrote: ‘This One I’m So Proud of’

Kid Cudi is taking on another daunting project in Hollywood. Cudder revealed Wednesday (Oct. 21) that he’s set to star as Jean-Michel Basquiat in a film about the famed artist, which the Ohio native wrote and will direct.

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Jean will begin filming in 2027. Cudi posted a poignant message to Instagram, detailing the enduring creative journey it took to bring the movie to life, which will serve as a “love letter to Jean.”

“JEAN. Written, directed and starring me. Filming 2027. For years people have asked me about playing Jean Michel Basquiat in a film. But no project actually came to be,” he wrote. “This year, I finally said fuck it, ima write it myself. Did a wardrobe test, got a wig made (this isnt the final just a rough, trust me we gon get it perfect). But I wanted to tease what we been cooking a bit. This one im so proud of and excited about.

Cudi continued: “To write a film about someone who existed was a challenge, but it was a welcomed one. A lot of research, books, talks with people that knew him. This film will be a love letter to Jean, the 80s and NY city. Jean has inspired me all through out my career, and it will be the biggest honor to tell his story in a way we haven’t seen before. I know a lot of yall gon be like FINALLY hahaha I love it. This ones for all those dreamers out there.”

Cudder posted an accompanying photo shoot featuring a first look at him as the Brooklyn artist, which features Cudi in a suit and rocking Basquiat’s signature tousled hairstyle.

Basquiat rose to prominence in the ’80s with his raw art and powerful paintings, many of which addressed America’s class and race issues, while incorporating his signature three-pointed crown on pieces. He passed away from a drug overdose at 27 years old in 1988.

Cudi has been keeping busy building up his Hollywood résumé . He’s starred in flicks like Happy Gilmore 2, House Party, X, Maxxxine, Pearl and helmed his Entergalactic rom-com on Netflix in 2022. The 42-year-old is also slated to make his directorial debut in a film film titled Doe, while starring alongside actress Barbie Ferreira in the upcoming horror Wrong Number.

Find Kid Cudi’s full message and photos as Jean-Michel Basquiat below.