Snoop Dogg will star in and co-produce Luc Besson‘s next movie, an original sci-fi movie titled “The Last Man.”
Although the post-apocalyptic plot is under wraps, it’s believed to be a “Planet of the Apes”-inspired movie and may be connected in some ways to Dogg’s 2009 song “Last Man Standing.”
The project is penned by Luc Besson, who successfully dived into science-fiction with the 1997 cult movie “The Fifth Element” starring Bruce Willis, and then with “Lucy” starring Scarlett Johansson. The latter was a box office hit, grossing $469 million worldwide in 2014. Three years later, Besson then went on to direct the pricey “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” which grossed $226 million worldwide. “The Last Man” will likely be in the same vein as “The Fifth Element,” blending science-fiction, comedy and action.
Dogg and Besson previously worked together almost 20 years ago on the animated feature “Arthur and the Minimoys.” Dogg voiced one of the main characters of the movie.
The movie is being produced by Virginie Besson-Silla and Luc Besson for EuropaCorp, with Dogg and Sara Ramaker via their banner Death Row Pictures. Filming is slated to begin in 2025.
“I’ve been a big fan of Snoop Dogg’s music ever since ‘Who Am I,'” said Besson. “We first met 20 years ago, and we’ve always wanted to work together again. We just needed the right project that would excite us both — and this is it, with Snoop in the lead role. I can’t wait to get started!”
Snoop also revealed he’s been a fan of Besson for decades. “Ever since I’ve seen The Professional, I’ve always wanted [Luc] to direct a whole movie for me. Now we finally get the opportunity for him to write and direct me in a Luc Besson movie,” Snoop said.
Snoop spent time in Paris during the Summer Olympics as he was a torchbearer and a special correspondent for NBC Olympics. He also performed for the handover segment of the closing ceremony to tease the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics Games.
Besson last directed “Dogman” which starred Caleb Landry Jones and competed at the Venice Film Festival and has reteamed with Landry Jones on “Dracula,” an adaptation of Bram Stoker’s’ Gothic classic. “Dracula” also stars Christoph Waltz.