Kid Cudi is taking on one of art’s most iconic figures. He will star as Jean-Michel Basquiat in Jean, a film he wrote and will direct, with production set to begin in 2027.
Cudi revealed the project on social media with images of himself in character. He said he has been asked for years about playing Basquiat, called writing the script a welcomed challenge, and spent time on research, books and conversations with people who knew the artist. He also did a wardrobe test and had a wig made, which he described as a rough version of the final look.
“This film will be a love letter to Jean, the 80s and NY city,” he said.
The project adds to a busy run behind the camera. His feature directorial debut, Doe, began production in Los Angeles earlier this year, and he is set to direct the horror thriller Wrong Number, starring Barbie Ferreira. As an actor, he has appeared in Ti West’s X, Pearl and MaXXXine, as well as Bill & Ted Face the Music.
Basquiat is also the focus of another upcoming film, The Collaboration, directed by Kwame Kwei-Armah, with Paul Bettany as Andy Warhol and Jeremy Pope as Basquiat. That film has no release date. No studio, producers or additional cast have been announced for Jean.
