A ‘Savage’ Tale: Donald Glover and ‘Stranger Things’ star Caleb McLaughlin Portray Rapper 21 Savage in Biopic
The story of 21 Savage’s 2019 run-in with ICE is being made into a movie.
Donald Glover (Atlanta) will star as 21 Savage in the film, which is titled American Dream: the 21 Savage Story. Glover also directed the trailer, along with his brother Stephen Glover, Jamal Olori and Fam Udeorji. Caleb McLaughlin of Stranger Things is also in the trailer, portraying a younger version of the rapper.
The film will recount 21 Savage’s highly publicized detainment in 2019 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an event which brought the rapper’s British background to the forefront. Born in London as Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, he and his mother emigrated to Atlanta when he was seven He later revealed he’d been actively working towards legal status in America for several years.
Savage was held for several weeks and threatened with deportation, but a widespread “Free 21 Savage” campaign helped the rapper gain his freedom and ability to remain in the country.
Savage teased the new film on Sunday night with a photo of Glover and McLaughlin sporting his signature face tattoos. The trailer features a new song from the Grammy-winning artist, whose hasn’t released a solo album since I Am > I Was in 2018. Savage has released two collaborative albums in the time period: Savage Mode II in 2020 with Metro Boomin (who is played by Jabari Banks in the film) and Her Loss with Drake in 2022.
Victoria Pedretti (You), Young Mazino (Beef), Natasha Lyonne (Poker Face), Chad Lindberg, Gail Been and Druski all appear in the trailer.
According to the trailer, American Dream: The 21 Savage Story is coming from Lionsgate pictures, and will be in theaters on July 4th, 2024, with “music inspired by the film” set to be released on Friday, January 12th.