Snoop Dogg is getting the biopic treatment – and the movie will be filmed right here in California!
On Wednesday, Universal Pictures received a $17 million tax credit from the California Film Commission to produce the biopic of the iconic rapper and Long Beach native in the state. The move all but confirms that the movie is going forward – and we’ll likely see shoots around the city of L.A.
“Big love to the California Film Commission and Gov. Newsom for holdin’ it down with that tax credit,” said Snoop Dogg in a statement. “Y’all making it possible for us to tell my story right here where it all began. California raised me, inspired me, and now helpin’ bring this biopic to life in 2026. Much respect – that’s real teamwork, ya dig…”
Outer Banks actor Jonathan Davis is attached to the project, presumably to play Snoop himself, with Craig Brewer set to direct.
Who else received tax credits?
There are 28 total projects receiving tax credits, including Ang Lee’s Gold Mountain and new projects from Gina Rodriguez and Glen Powell. According to Deadline, a whopping $116.2 million was awarded to filmmakers in hopes that the investment would generate $562 million of “economic activity” in Hollywood and across California.
“California’s film and television industry isn’t just an economic engine — it’s part of who we are,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday, December 17. “This latest round of tax credit awards builds on that legacy while delivering real results across the state: good-paying jobs, stronger local economies, and thriving small businesses. It’s a clear signal that California remains the global home of storytelling — yesterday, today, and for generations to come.”
What is this tax credit program?
In July 2025, Newsom signed off on a $750 million film and TV tax credit to help give a boost to Hollywood movie projects. The law, AB 1138, expanded California’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program, expanded the types of productions eligible for the tax credits, as well as the amount of money productions would be able to collect.