Samo Lives

Samo Lives
Directed byJulius Onah
Written by
Produced by
  • John Baker
  • Eric Ro
  • Rob Feng
  • Charles D. King
  • James Lopez
  • Julius Onah
Starring
CinematographyTodd Martin
Production
companies
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Samo Lives is an upcoming American biographical film written and directed by Julius Onah. The film stars Kelvin Harrison Jr., Danny Ramirez, Dane DeHaan, Kathryn Newton, Thomas Kretschmann, Lukas Gage, Chase Sui Wonders, Antony Starr and Jeffrey Wright.

Premise

The movie is about the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, a notable figure in New York City street art.

Cast

Production

In January 2022, it was announced that Endeavor Content had developed and financed the biopic film Samo Lives, with Kelvin Harrison Jr. portraying Jean-Michel Basquiat while Julius Onah was writing and directing the project after Harrison Jr. and Onah worked together on the critically acclaimed drama Luce (2019).

Filming began on September 15, 2025 in Jersey City, New Jersey. In October 2025, filming had completed with 14 more actors having been added to the cast, including Jeffrey Wright, who had previously portrayed Basquiat in the 1996 film Basquiat.

References

  1. ↑ Jackson, Angelique (January 5, 2022). "Kelvin Harrison Jr. to Star in Jean-Michel Basquiat Biopic 'Samo Lives' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  2. ↑ Daniels, Robert (July 13, 2026). "He's Just That Guy: Jeffrey Wright on "Basquiat"". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on October 10, 2026. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
  3. ↑ Jackson, Angelique (January 5, 2022). "Kelvin Harrison Jr. to Star in Jean-Michel Basquiat Biopic 'Samo Lives' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  4. ↑ "'Samo Lives'- Production List". Production List. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  5. ↑ Miller, Leigh Anne (September 17, 2025). "Basquiat Biopic Starts Filming in Manhattan's East Village". ARTnews.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2025. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  6. ↑ Grobar, Matt (October 21, 2025). "Danny Ramirez, Dane DeHaan, Kathryn Newton, Lukas Gage, Chase Sui Wonders, Antony Starr, Jeffrey Wright & More Join Jean-Michel Basquiat Biopic 'Samo Lives'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 22, 2025. Retrieved October 23, 2025.