Scott Mescudi, widely known as Kid Cudi, is stepping into an ambitious new role, taking on the life story of one of the 20th century's most influential artists, Jean-Michel Basquiat. Mescudi shared on Instagram that he will not only portray Basquiat but also pen the script and direct the film, which he has titled Jean. This marks a significant move for the Grammy-winning musician and actor into a multifaceted creative role.
Mescudi's connection to Basquiat runs deep, having long been inspired by the artist's work and cultural impact. He revealed that despite years of being approached to play Basquiat, no project had materialized. This prompted him to take matters into his own hands, stating, "This year, I finally said f*** it, ima write it myself." He envisions the film as a heartfelt tribute, describing it as "a love letter to Jean, the 80s and NY city." Mescudi further emphasized his desire to present Basquiat's narrative uniquely, adding that it would be "the biggest honor to tell his story in a way we haven’t seen before."
Basquiat, who tragically passed away at 27 in 1988, rose to prominence in the 1980s New York art scene, leaving an indelible mark with his distinctive neo-expressionist style. His work continues to command record-breaking prices at auction, solidifying his status as a pivotal American artist. While Basquiat's life has been explored in various documentaries and the 1996 feature film Basquiat starring Jeffrey Wright, Mescudi's triple-threat approach offers a fresh perspective.
To give fans a glimpse into his vision, Mescudi also shared striking wardrobe test photos of himself embodying Basquiat. These images, which Deadline highlighted, suggest Mescudi has already captured a compelling essence of the artist.
Jean is slated to begin filming in 2027. This Basquiat biopic will be Mescudi's second directorial feature, following his recently announced horror/thriller Wrong Number, which stars Barbie Ferreira and is currently in production in Los Angeles. Mescudi's expanding filmography as a director underscores his growing commitment to filmmaking, moving beyond his established career in music and acting to tell stories he is passionate about from behind the camera.