Kid Cudi to Star as Jean-Michel Basquiat in Self-Written and Directed Film ‘Jean’

Kid Cudi, the rapper, has announced an upcoming biopic titled "Jean," based on the life of the renowned artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. The project, which Cudi will write, direct, and star in, is set to begin filming in 2027.

In an Instagram post, Cudi revealed that he had been contemplating playing the role of Basquiat for years. He wrote, "For years people have asked me about playing Jean-Michel Basquiat in a film. But no project actually came to be." However, this year marked a turning point for Cudi, who stated, "This one im so proud of and excited about."

Cudi took to Instagram to share that he had conducted a wardrobe test and commissioned a wig for the role. He added, "This ones for all those dreamers out there."

Cudi expressed his admiration for Basquiat, stating that the artist has inspired him throughout his career. He also mentioned that the film will be a love letter to Basquiat, the 80s, and New York City. Cudi underwent extensive research, reading books and speaking with people who knew Basquiat to bring the character to life authentically.

With a background in acting since 2009, Cudi has appeared in various films, including "How to Make It in America," "Entourage," "Don’t Look Up," "X," "Silent Night," and "Happy Gilmore 2." In 2022, he made his directorial debut with the Netflix project "Teddy," which featured JAY-Z as a co-producer. Additionally, Cudi created and starred in the Netflix animated musical rom-com "Entergalactic," released alongside his 2022 album of the same name.