Kid Cudi to Write, Direct, and Star in Jean-Michel Basquiat Biopic Jean

Kid Cudi has announced Jean, a Jean-Michel Basquiat biopic penned by the rapper, who will also star and direct. The movie is set to begin filming in 2027.

“For years people have asked me about playing Jean-Michel Basquiat in a film. But no project actually came to be,” Cudi wrote on Instagram. “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.”

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He continued, “This one im so proud of and excited about. 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.”

Born Scott Mescudi, the musician has been acting since 2009, when he starred in the HBO series How to Make It in America. He has since appeared in films such as Entourage, Don’t Look Up, X, Silent Night, and Happy Gilmore 2.

In 2022, Cudi announced that he would make his directorial debut with the Netflix project Teddy, with JAY-Z attached as a co-producer. He also created and starred in the Netflix animated musical rom-com Entergalactic, a companion piece to his 2022 album of the same name.