Kid Cudi to Direct and Star as Basquiat

Kid Cudi is set to write, direct and play Jean‑Michel Basquiat in a film that won’t start shooting until 2027. He announced the project on Instagram, posting a wardrobe test and a rough wig to tease the look. Cudi called the undertaking a challenge but a welcomed one after years of unanswered requests to portray the icon. He said he dug through books, interviews and talks with people who knew Basquiat to build the script. The movie, titled “Jean,” will serve as a love letter to the 1980s. It also celebrates New York City and the artist’s restless spirit. Cudi added that the film is for all the dreamers who have waited for his version of Basquiat. He summed it up, saying, “It’s the biggest honor of my career.”