Kid Cudi to Play Jean-Michel Basquiat in ‘Jean,’ a Film He Wrote and Directed
Credit: Instagram: Kid Cudi
After wrapping up his “The Rebel Ragers Tour,” Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi—better known as Kid Cudi—is heading to the big screen. On Oct. 21, the Mexican-American rapper announced he’ll star as Jean-Michel Basquiat in Jean, a film he wrote and directed. The film is set for release in 2027.
“For years people have asked me about playing Jean-Michel Basquiat in a film,” he wrote on an Instagram post. “But no project actually came to be. This year, I finally said f*ck it, ima write it myself.”
He continued: “To write a film about someone who existed was a challenge, but it was a welcome 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.”
The Instagram announcement offered a first look at Kid Cudi as the iconic Puerto Rican-Haitian-American artist and painter. His resemblance to Basquiat is uncanny: He wears a suit with a striped tie, white Converse, and the artist’s signature hairstyle. Filming is set to begin in 2027.
Though best known as a rapper, Kid Cudi has also built a substantial film career, working on projects such as X, Happy Gilmore 2, and Silent Night. He will make his feature directorial debut with Doe, which is in post-production. He is currently filming the horror/thriller Wrong Number, which he also wrote and directed. Wrong Number will also star Lucy Barrett and Barbie Ferreira.
Next up in 2027: exploring Basquiat’s legacy as a neo-expressionist painter and artist in the 1980s. “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…” he concluded in his social media post. “This ones for all those dreamers out there.”
We’ll keep an eye out for further updates.