Honestly, if you told me two years ago that the guy who plays Pope on Outer Banks was going to be the next Snoop Dogg, I probably would’ve done a double-take. It sounds like one of those weird internet rumors that starts on a Reddit thread and disappears by morning. But here we are in 2026, and the Jonathan Daviss Snoop Dogg collaboration is officially the most talked-about thing in Hollywood.
It’s happening. Universal Pictures is backing it. Snoop himself is producing it. And Jonathan Daviss is currently living in the "Dogg House" to get the vibe right.
Why Jonathan Daviss is Actually the Perfect Snoop
People love to complain about casting. "He doesn't look enough like him," or "Can he even handle the West Coast accent?" I've seen the tweets. But when you look at what Director Craig Brewer—the guy behind Hustle & Flow—is trying to do, it starts to make a lot of sense.
Snoop Dogg isn't just a rapper. He’s a mood. He’s a specific kind of laid-back energy that’s surprisingly hard to fake without looking like a caricature.
Jonathan Daviss has spent five seasons on Outer Banks playing the "brains" of the Pogues, but he’s always had this quiet, observational intensity. In his recent interviews, Snoop actually said he picked Daviss because of his "spirit." He didn't want a clone; he wanted someone who could capture the evolution from Calvin Broadus Jr. to the global icon we see today.
Basically, the film isn't just a highlight reel of Doggystyle and Gin and Juice. It’s a deep dive into the 90s Long Beach scene.
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Breaking Down the Plot: What the Biopic Actually Covers
A lot of fans think this is going to be another Straight Outta Compton. It’s not. While Universal is the studio behind both, this project is the flagship for Death Row Pictures’ new deal with NBCUniversal. It’s personal.
- The Early Years: We’re getting the "213" days. Before the fame, before the arrests, back when it was just Nate Dogg, Warren G, and Snoop trying to find a sound.
- The Death Row Era: This is the meat of the story. The relationship with Dr. Dre. The chaos of Suge Knight’s leadership. The pressure of being the face of a movement while the world was trying to tear it down.
- The Transition: Most biopics end when the artist gets famous. This one supposedly goes further, looking at how he navigated the late 90s and eventually became the guy who hangs out with Martha Stewart and Michael Phelps at the Olympics.
The Training: Becoming the Doggfather
How does a 25-year-old from Houston, who’s spent the last few years filming on beaches in Charleston, transform into a 6'4" rap legend from Long Beach?
Daviss has been pretty transparent about the process. It’s not just about the hair or the clothes. It’s the walk. It’s the way Snoop holds a microphone—loose, almost like it’s an extension of his hand.
Reports from the set suggest that Snoop has been heavily involved, almost like a mentor. He’s been sharing stories that aren't in the history books. You know, the stuff that happened behind closed doors at the studio. Daviss mentioned in a recent Instagram post that he’s been listening to nothing but 1992-era G-Funk for months.
"Bow wow wow," he captioned it. Simple. Effective.
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The Big Risks with the Jonathan Daviss Snoop Dogg Project
Let’s be real for a second. Biopics are dangerous territory. If you play it too safe, the movie feels like a boring Wikipedia entry. If you go too dark, the subject (in this case, Snoop) might get defensive.
The biggest challenge for Daviss is the voice. Snoop’s drawl is iconic. If Jonathan leans too hard into it, it’s going to feel like a Saturday Night Live sketch. If he doesn't do it enough, he won't feel like Snoop.
There’s also the weight of the supporting cast. We’re talking about a movie that has to feature versions of Dr. Dre, Suge Knight, and Tupac Shakur. Those are huge shoes to fill. If the chemistry isn't there, the whole thing falls apart.
But Craig Brewer has a track record with this kind of stuff. Dolemite Is My Name was fantastic because it focused on the heart of the character rather than just the costumes. That’s the hope here.
What This Means for Jonathan Daviss's Career
For Daviss, this is the "make or break" moment. Outer Banks is ending. The Pogues are moving on. Most TV actors struggle to find that one role that proves they can carry a major motion picture.
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This isn't just a role; it's the role.
Playing an icon while they are still alive and active in the industry is a massive flex. It shows that the industry sees him as a leading man. If he nails this, he’s not "the kid from that Netflix show" anymore. He’s an A-lister.
How to Keep Up with the Production
If you’re looking to follow the progress, here is what you need to do:
- Watch the Socials: Both Snoop and Daviss have been dropping "Easter eggs" on their stories. Look for shots of the classic 90s wardrobe.
- Revisit the Classics: If you want to understand the vibe Daviss is aiming for, go back and watch the "Who Am I (What's My Name?)" music video. That’s the energy the first half of the film is targeting.
- Check the Soundtrack: Universal has confirmed the movie will feature original masters and potentially some "lost" tracks from the Death Row vault.
Honestly, the Jonathan Daviss Snoop Dogg biopic feels like it’s coming at the right time. We’ve had the N.W.A. story. We’ve had the Elvis and Bob Marley films. It’s time for the West Coast to get its definitive solo story told through a fresh lens.
Whether you’re a fan of Outer Banks or you’ve been bumping Doggystyle since it was on cassette, this is a cultural crossover that shouldn't work on paper, but somehow feels inevitable.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye out for the first official teaser trailer, which is rumored to drop during the upcoming awards season. You'll want to pay close attention to the vocal processing—that's usually the first sign of how "real" the performance is going to feel.