Algee Smith, known for his breakout role in The Hate U Give, has been tapped to portray iconic West Coast rapper Warren G in an upcoming Snoop Dogg biopic, according to sources close to the production. The casting, confirmed exclusively to USA Film News, places Smith alongside the film’s central figure, though details about who will play Snoop Dogg himself remain under wraps.
The project marks a significant departure from the standard music biopic formula, as the story will be framed as a hip hop horror anthology. According to verified production metadata, the film is titled simply Snoop Dogg and features the rapper in a dual role as both the Host of Hell and a character named Devon. The narrative structure weaves three distinct tales of terror, each centered on residents of an inner-city neighborhood whose moral choices determine their ultimate fate in the afterlife.
Smith’s casting as Warren G adds a layer of authenticity to the project, given the real-life partnership between the two artists. Warren G, best known for the 1994 hit “Regulate” featuring Nate Dogg, was a key figure in the G-funk era and a close collaborator with Snoop Dogg during their early days in Long Beach. While the biopic’s release date has not been announced, the production is expected to lean heavily into the horror-comedy genre, a far cry from the dramatic tone of films like Straight Outta Compton or Bohemian Rhapsody.
The project is directed by Stacy Title, whose previous work includes the 1996 supernatural thriller The Last Supper and the 2018 drama The Bye Bye Man. Title’s involvement signals a deliberate blending of genre elements, with the film’s 85-minute runtime suggesting a tight, ensemble-driven narrative rather than a sprawling life story. The cast list provides further context, with Daniella Alonso, Anson Mount, and Danny Trejo among the supporting players, each likely tied to one of the three horror vignettes.
Notably, the film’s metadata indicates a 2006 release date, which suggests this project may have a complex production history. The TMDb rating of 4.8 out of 10 also points to a mixed reception among early audiences, though this has not deterred the production team from moving forward with additional casting announcements. It remains unclear whether the biopic will revisit or re-cut the original material, or if this new casting signals a fresh take on previously filmed footage.
Smith’s career trajectory has been on a steady rise since his turn as Starr Carter’s boyfriend in The Hate U Give. He followed that with a memorable performance as Ralph Tresvant in the BET miniseries The New Edition Story, which earned him critical acclaim and demonstrated his ability to embody real-life music figures. His subsequent roles in Euphoria and the 2021 film The United States vs. Billie Holiday have further solidified his reputation as a versatile actor comfortable with both dramatic weight and ensemble dynamics.
The choice to place Warren G at the center of Smith’s casting suggests the biopic will explore the collaborative and competitive dynamics of the early 1990s West Coast rap scene. Warren G’s stepbrother, Dr. Dre, was instrumental in launching both Snoop Dogg’s and Warren G’s careers, and any film tackling this era would likely need to address those intertwined relationships. Whether Dr. Dre appears as a character remains unconfirmed, but the horror anthology framework could allow for creative reinterpretations of well-known historical events.
For Snoop Dogg, the project represents another foray into genre filmmaking. His filmography includes appearances in horror-adjacent titles like Bones and Half Baked, but this biopic would mark his most direct involvement in a project centered on his own public persona. The “Hound of Hell” framing plays into the rapper’s long-standing persona, which has often blended spiritual imagery with street credibility.
The film’s inner-city setting and focus on afterlife consequences suggest a moralistic undercurrent beneath the horror trappings. Each of the three tales will reportedly examine how the actions of neighborhood residents - likely covering greed, violence, and redemption - determine their final resting place. This structure allows the film to explore social commentary without being constrained by the biographical timeline of its central subjects.
While the biopic has yet to secure a distributor or announce a premiere date, the casting of Smith is likely to generate renewed interest in the project. His fanbase, cultivated through both mainstream films and critically acclaimed television, skews younger, which could help introduce Snoop Dogg’s legacy to a new generation. The combination of horror, comedy, and hip hop culture positions the film as a potential cult favorite rather than a traditional award-season contender.
No official statement has been released by Smith’s representatives or the production company regarding the casting. However, sources indicate that filming could begin as early as next year, depending on Smith’s schedule and the finalization of the script. For now, fans of both Smith and the era of G-funk will have to watch for further announcements, which are expected to shed light on the remaining key roles and the film’s long-delayed path to release.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
