Kid Cudi on the Film That Shaped Him | PLAY Hub News

Kid Cudi is set to make his feature directorial debut with the indie film Doe, starring alongside Mark Webber, Leah McNamara, Brandon Scott, and Brandon Perea. The film, currently in production in Los Angeles, explores themes of addiction and survival through the story of a man experiencing 24 hours on the streets of Hollywood.

According to a report from Deadline, Cudi not only directs and stars in Doe, but also wrote the screenplay. The film centers on a man whose encounters over the course of a single day pull him in and out of the cycles of his addiction. Original songs by Kid Cudi will be featured in the film.

Cudi, whose full name is Scott Mescudi, expressed his long-held ambition to direct, stating, Directing for me has been the ultimate dream of mine since I was a little boy. I’ve always been fascinated with film, and I’ve been sharpening my sword for years waiting for this very moment. It’s truly been the best experience filming this movie and I can’t wait for the world to see a true work of passion and love, made with friends.”

From Music Videos to Feature Films

While primarily known as a Grammy-winning musician and record producer, Cudi has been steadily building his filmography for over a decade. He first ventured into acting in 2009 with a role in the HBO series How to Make It in America. Since then, he has appeared in films such as Goodbye World (2013), Need for Speed (2014), Entourage (2015), Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020), and Don’t Look Up (2021).

Cudi’s experience extends beyond acting roles. He served as bandleader on the IFC series Comedy Bang! Bang! in 2015 and starred in the TV drama We Are Who We Are in 2020. He also co-created the Emmy-winning Netflix animated special Entergalactic (2022) alongside Kenya Barris, which accompanied his album of the same name.

Mad Solar Productions

In 2020, Cudi launched his own production company, Mad Solar, which has already produced several projects, including the documentary A Man Named Scott (2021) detailing his musical career. Mad Solar also produced the critically acclaimed horror films X (2022) and Pearl (2022), with a sequel, MaXXXine (2023), also under their banner. Cudi starred in X and served as an executive producer on the award-winning film Malcolm & Marie.

Doe is being produced under the Mad Solar banner, with Karina Manashil serving as executive producer alongside Cudi. Mark Webber, Anthony Baldino, and Ryan Lacen are also producing the film.

Cudi’s Continued Creative Pursuits

The announcement of Doe comes as Cudi continues to balance his music and acting careers. He recently released his eleventh studio album, Free. He also hinted at the possibility of a fourth installment in his Man on the Moon album series, according to a recent Facebook post from According 2 Hip Hop.

Cudi’s transition to directing represents a culmination of his long-held passion for filmmaking, dating back to his studies at the University of Toledo before he pursued a career in music. His diverse experience in music, acting, and production positions him as a multifaceted creative force in the entertainment industry.