Kid Cudi is expanding his creative empire beyond music and acting, announcing plans to release two feature films he is directing in 2027.

The Grammy-winning artist, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, shared the news in a series of posts on X in mid-to-late August 2026, expressing excitement about stepping fully into the role of filmmaker.

In one post, Cudi wrote that he would shoot his next film “in a few weeks” and was “so fuckin hyped.” He added, “Sometimes I cant believe this is all happening. Officially a filmmaker. Get ready. Next year we introduce em to writer/director Cud.” In a follow-up, he clarified the timeline: “Two movies in a year. Both very different from the other. Doe, my directorial debut, will premiere next year, and my next film will premiere in the late summer.”

The first project, titled Doe, marks Cudi’s feature directorial debut. He also wrote the screenplay, stars in the lead role, and is composing original songs and the score. The film is described as an intense drama that unfolds over 24 hours in the life of an addict living on the streets of Los Angeles. Principal photography began in April 2026 in Los Angeles.

The cast includes Mark Webber, Leah McNamara, Brandon Scott, and Brandon Perea. Cudi has indicated Doe could aim for a premiere early in 2027, potentially at a festival such as Sundance, followed by a wider release later that year.

His second film, which he has referred to in colorful terms as “F*ckin Gnarly,” is a horror/thriller that mixes scares with comedy. Cudi has said he is “a firm believer in mixing horror with comedy” and incorporated that approach into the project. Filming for the second movie was expected to begin shortly after his August announcements, with a planned late-summer 2027 premiere. Details on the cast and full plot remain limited, but Cudi has emphasized that the two films will be “very different from the other.”

These projects fall under Cudi’s production company, Mad Solar, which he founded in 2020. The company has previously been involved in films such as Ti West’s X (2022), in which Cudi also acted, as well as its prequel Pearl and the later MaXXXine.

Mad Solar has helped position Cudi as more than a musician transitioning into Hollywood; he has steadily built credits as an actor, producer, and now director.

Cudi’s path to the director’s chair builds on years of creative work across mediums. He first gained widespread recognition with his 2009 debut album Man on the Moon: The End of Day, which established his signature blend of introspective hip-hop, alternative rock, and melodic experimentation. Subsequent albums and collaborations solidified his status as an influential figure in modern music.

At the same time, he pursued acting roles in projects ranging from Don’t Look Up to X, and he co-created the Emmy-winning animated special Entergalactic. He has also directed music videos and worked on earlier film concepts, describing directing as a long-held ambition.

In comments surrounding Doe, Cudi has spoken about the personal resonance of the material. The story of addiction and survival on the streets of Hollywood draws from themes he has explored in his music and public discussions of mental health and recovery.

He has called the experience of filming “truly… the best experience” and expressed eagerness for audiences to see “a true work of passion and love, made with friends.”

The dual 2027 slate represents an unusually ambitious jump for a first-time feature director. Most musicians who move behind the camera begin with a single project. Cudi is instead preparing to deliver two distinct films in the same calendar year, one a grounded drama and the other a genre-blending horror-comedy.

Industry coverage from outlets including Deadline has highlighted the speed of his transition, noting that he is treating directing as a serious career rather than a one-off experiment.

Cudi’s announcement comes amid a broader period of creative output. In addition to the two directorial projects, he has continued acting and producing. Recent and upcoming credits include roles in other films and voice work, while Mad Solar remains active in development.

His willingness to write, direct, star, and score Doe underscores a hands-on approach that mirrors the control he has long exercised over his music.

Whether Doe and the second film ultimately land festival slots, limited theatrical runs, or streaming releases will depend on post-production timelines and distribution deals. Independent films of this scale often adjust schedules, yet Cudi’s public statements have been consistent about targeting 2027 for both.

Public Reaction

Fans of his music may find the original songs planned for Doe particularly intriguing, offering another entry point into his cinematic work.

The news has circulated quickly among entertainment and hip-hop outlets, with many framing it as a significant step in Cudi’s evolution from recording artist to multi-hyphenate creator. For an artist who has repeatedly reinvented his sound and public persona, the move into directing two features in one year feels like a natural extension of his restless creativity.

As production continues on the second film and post-production advances on Doe, audiences will learn more about both projects in the coming months. For now, Kid Cudi has made his intentions clear: 2027 will introduce the world to “writer/director Cud.”