Kid Cudi To Write, Direct, And Star As Basquiat In New Biopic

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Kid Cudi announced that he will write, direct and star as Jean-Michel Basquiat in a forthcoming film titled JEAN. Cudi said production is planned to begin next year; a release date, cast and further production details have not been announced in the source report.

Rapper and artist Kid Cudi will write, direct and star as painter Jean-Michel Basquiat in a forthcoming biopic titled JEAN, he announced on Instagram on October 21. Cudi said production is set to begin next year, putting him in charge of both the film’s creative direction and its central performance.

In his Instagram announcement, Cudi described JEAN as a “love letter” to Basquiat, the 1980s and New York City. He said the late artist had inspired his career and called portraying him “the biggest honor,” adding that he hopes to tell Basquiat’s story in a way audiences have not seen before. Those descriptions reflect Cudi’s stated intentions; the announcement did not provide a plot outline or explain how the film will approach the artist’s life.

Cudi said writing about a real person was a challenge and that he had undertaken research, read books and spoken with people who knew Basquiat. The announcement included a mock-up promotional poster and black-and-white images of Cudi styled as the painter. The source report did not identify other cast members, a production company, a distributor or a release date.

Basquiat, who died in 1988, became a major figure in contemporary art. Cudi’s plan to play him and guide the film as writer and director makes JEAN a personal creative undertaking as well as a biopic announcement. Whether the project’s planned production schedule holds, and what form its account of Basquiat’s life will take, has not yet been specified.

Cudi Takes Creative Lead on Basquiat Film

Cudi is not only attached as the lead actor: he says he will also write and direct the film. That concentration of roles gives him substantial responsibility for how Basquiat is portrayed, though the announcement does not clarify whether other writers, directors or producers are involved. The project’s eventual depiction will matter to audiences familiar with Basquiat’s work and to viewers encountering his story through the film.

The announcement also connects Cudi’s music career with his recent activity in visual art. He has presented paintings under the name Scotty Ramon, including a group presentation at Art Cologne in 2025 and a solo exhibition, Echoes of the Past, at Ruttkowski;68 in Paris this January, according to Hyperallergic. JEAN would extend that creative activity into filmmaking, while its stated focus on 1980s New York frames the project around both an individual artist and a particular period and place.

From Cudi’s Art Practice to JEAN

Basquiat (1960–1988) was an American artist whose work made him a prominent figure in contemporary art. Cudi’s announcement positions the film as an effort to tell the story of an artist he says has influenced his own career. The title, JEAN, and the proposed focus on Basquiat and 1980s New York are the main details made public so far; no specific life events or periods covered by the script have been disclosed.

Cudi has also begun presenting visual art publicly as Scotty Ramon. Hyperallergic reported that he took part in a group presentation at Art Cologne 2025 and held his first solo exhibition at the Paris gallery Ruttkowski;68 in January. That background helps explain his stated interest in Basquiat, but it does not establish what approach the film will take or how it will be received.

““love letter to Jean, the 80s and NY city””

— Kid Cudi, in his Instagram announcement

Film Details Still Undisclosed

The announcement did not name additional cast members, producers, a studio or distributor, or confirm a release date. It also did not outline the script, identify which parts of Basquiat’s life it will cover, or say whether the production has secured financing. The planned start next year is Cudi’s stated schedule, not confirmation that filming has begun or that a release window is set.

It is also not clear who else is contributing to the screenplay or directing process, or what historical advisers may be involved. Cudi said he had spoken with people who knew Basquiat, but he did not identify them or describe those conversations in the announcement.

Production Start and Further Details

The next stated milestone is the planned start of production next year. Further announcements may clarify the cast, production partners, filming schedule and intended release, but no dates beyond the proposed production start were supplied in the report. Until those details are confirmed, the project remains at the announcement stage.

Key Questions

What is JEAN?

JEAN is the announced film about artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Kid Cudi says he will write, direct and star in it.

Who will Kid Cudi play?

Cudi says he will portray Jean-Michel Basquiat, the American artist who died in 1988.

When will production begin?

Cudi said production is planned to begin next year. The announcement did not give a specific start date.

Has a release date or full cast been announced?

No release date or additional cast members were named in the source report. Details about the production company and distributor were also not provided.

What did Cudi say about researching Basquiat?

Cudi said he had done research, read books and spoken with people who knew Basquiat. He did not name those people or provide further details about the research.

Source: rss