Cynthia Erivo to Play Afeni Shakur in Universal's Snoop Dogg Biopic

Cynthia Erivo will play Afeni Shakur, the mother of Tupac Shakur, in Universal's upcoming Snoop Dogg biopic. The Hollywood Reporter first reported the casting. Erivo, a Tony, Grammy and Emmy winner, joins a film Universal has dated for theatrical release on Aug. 6.

Jonathan Daviss leads the cast of "Snoop," which the studio describes as the "definitive biopic of the entertainment mogul and icon," Snoop Dogg. The ensemble around him is long and specific:

• Myles Bullock Be as Dr. Dre
• Lauren London as Snoop's late mother, Beverly Tate
• Camron Jones as Tupac Shakur
• Algee Smith as Warren G
• Tre Hale as Suge Knight
• Laya DeLeon Hayes as Snoop's wife, Shante Broadus
• Olly Sholotan as Kurupt
• Corey Champagne as Nate Dogg
• Jonica Booth as The Lady of Rage

Craig Brewer, whose credits include "Hustle and Flow" and "Song Sung Blue," is directing. The film is based on Brewer's rewrite of an original script by Joe Robert Cole, the writer behind "Black Panther" and "Wakanda Forever."

Who was Afeni Shakur?

Erivo's role carries real historical weight. Afeni Shakur was a prominent member of the Black Panther Party. She was born Alice Faye Williams in North Carolina in 1947 and moved to the Bronx with her mother at age 11. She joined the Panthers in 1968 after hearing Bobby Seale speak, and soon after married fellow Black Panther member Lumumba Shakur.

Who is making the film?

Snoop Dogg is producing "Snoop," which will incorporate music from his vast catalog. He produces alongside Imagine Entertainment's Brian Grazer, whose credits include "8 Mile," Allan Mandelbaum and Sara Ramaker, president of Death Row Pictures. The film is the first project under Death Row Pictures' overall deal with NBCUniversal Entertainment and Studios. Senior VP of production development Ryan Jones and director of development Tony Ducret will oversee the project for the studio.

What does this change for Erivo's career?

It adds another major studio role to a rapidly expanding slate. Erivo recently hosted "Saturday Night Live: U.K." and starred in "Wicked" and "Wicked: For Good." Her portrayal of Elphaba earned her nominations at the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, Critics' Choice Awards, NAACP Awards, BAFTA and the Academy Awards.

She next executive produced and stars in the film adaptation of "Prima Facie," which premiered at this year's Toronto International Film Festival. She also stars in "Children of Blood and Bone," directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, opening Jan. 15. That film includes Viola Davis, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Idris Elba, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris, Regina King and Lashana Lynch. Erivo is represented by UTA, Entertainment 360, The Lede Company and Peikoff Mahan Law Office.

The Aug. 6 theatrical date now positions "Snoop" as a major late-summer release, with a cast that stretches from West Coast rap history to one of Broadway and Hollywood's most decorated current stars.