Kid Cudi is finally taking on the role fans have been asking him about for years.
On Wednesday (October 21), the rapper and actor announced on Instagram that he will write, direct and star in ‘JEAN,’ a film about the late artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. The post included photos from an early wardrobe test showing Cudi in a dreadlocked wig inspired by Basquiat’s signature look, and revealed that filming begins 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. “This year, I finally said f*ck it, ima write it myself.”
He also made it clear the look is still a work in progress, calling the wig “just a rough” and assuring fans, “trust me, we gon get it perfect.”
Kid Cudi on writing ‘JEAN’
Cudi said writing about someone who really lived “was a challenge, but it was a welcomed one,” describing the process as “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,” he wrote. “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.”
Basquiat died in 1988 at age 27. Jeffrey Wright played him in Julian Schnabel’s 1996 film ‘Basquiat,’ and a documentary about the artist titled ‘King Pleasure’ is also in the works.
The project adds to a busy run behind the camera for Cudi, born Scott Mescudi. He is making his feature directorial debut with ‘Doe,’ and he is also set to direct the horror thriller ‘Wrong Number,’ in which he stars opposite Barbie Ferreira. On screen, his credits include Ti West’s ‘X,’ ‘Pearl’ and ‘MaXXXine.’
“I know a lot of yall gon be like FINALLY hahaha I love it,” Cudi added. “This ones for all those dreamers out there.”
Check out his announcement above.
