She has already conquered Broadway, flown across the big screen as a beloved cinematic witch, and cemented her status as one of Hollywood’s most formidable dramatic forces. Cynthia Erivo’s talent knows no bounds, and the performer just keeps on surprising her fans with her every disparate venture. Now, the decorated powerhouse is packing her bags for the West Coast to tackle one of the most revered and complex matriarchs in hip-hop history. 

As Universal Pictures presses forward with its star-studded chronicles of rap royalty in the upcoming Snoop Dogg biopic, the studio has officially enlisted Cynthia Erivo to step into the role of Afeni Shakur.

Cynthia Erivo boards Snoop Dogg biopic

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Universal Pictures is assembling a formidable ensemble for Snoop, its upcoming cinematic chronicle tracing the legendary rise of hip-hop titan Snoop Dogg. Adding serious award-winning pedigree to the call sheet, multi-hyphenate powerhouse Cynthia Erivo, an EGOT contender armed with three Oscar nods, has officially signed on to portray Afeni Shakur. Erivo will tackle the deeply complex, highly influential legacy of Tupac’s mother, whose fierce bond and friction with her son inspired his classic anthem ‘Dear Mama.’

The biographical feature is helmed by director Craig Brewer, who penned the current screenplay draft building on initial work by Joe Robert Cole, and the production is currently filming across Southern California. Legendary producer Brian Grazer and Allan Mandelbaum of Imagine Entertainment are steering the ship alongside Death Row Pictures president Sara Ramaker and the rap icon himself. 

Leading the charge is Outer Banks breakout Jonathan Daviss, who steps into the oversized shoes of the legend, while Panic alum Camron Jones takes on the monumental mantle of the hip-hop visionary Tupac Shakur. The star-studded roster is rounded out by a deep bench of talent featuring Myles Bullock Be, Lauren London, Algee Smith, Tre Hale, Laya DeLeon Hayes, Olly Sholotan, Corey Champagne, Jonica Booth, and SwayvoTwain (via The Hollywood Reporter).

Coming back to Erivo, who is really eying a major MCU role, her award-winning collaboration with Universal just got another chapter currently in the writing.

The successful partnership continues

The multifaceted performer already boasts a deep-rooted history with Universal following her critically acclaimed run as Elphaba across the studio’s blockbuster Wicked. This association represents a career-defining turn that swept nominations across the board from the Academy Awards and BAFTAs to the Golden Globes, SAG, Critics’ Choice, and NAACP honors. 

Cynthia Erivo’s packed slate continues with an executive producer credit and starring role in the upcoming silver-screen adaptation of the theatrical smash Prima Facie, which, fresh off its 2026 Toronto International Film Festival debut, is gearing up for a UK and Irish theatrical rollout on November 13 under her Edith’s Daughter production banner. Beyond that, she anchors the star-studded ensemble of Paramount’s massive YA fantasy epic Children of Blood and Bone, sharing the screen with heavyweights like Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Regina King, and Amandla Stenberg ahead of its scheduled cinema debut on January 15, 2027.

Are you excited to see Cynthia Erivo as Afeni Shakur? Do let us know.