Kelvin Harrison Jr. to Portray Jean-Michel Basquiat in Biopic "Samo Lives" with Lukas Gage and Jeffrey Wright

The world of contemporary art and LGBTQ+ representation is set for a seismic moment with the announcement of "Samo Lives," the first major biopic to chronicle the life and legacy of Jean-Michel Basquiat—an artist whose influence reverberates far beyond the boundaries of the canvas. Helmed by director Julius Onah, known for his critically acclaimed work on "Luce," the film stars Kelvin Harrison Jr. in the titular role, with a supporting cast that includes Lukas Gage and Jeffrey Wright, the latter reprising his connection to Basquiat nearly three decades after portraying him in Julian Schnabel’s 1996 film "Basquiat" .

Kelvin Harrison Jr.’s transformation into Jean-Michel Basquiat marks a significant milestone: "Samo Lives" is the first Basquiat biopic to be directed by a Black filmmaker, bringing new depth to the intersections of race, queer identity, and creativity that shaped Basquiat’s short but extraordinary life . Director Julius Onah has emphasized the importance of telling Basquiat’s story through the lens of the African Diaspora, highlighting the artist’s experience as a Black, queer man navigating the art world’s mainstream circuits and its underground spaces.

The film’s cast is designed to reflect the vibrant, complex community that orbited Basquiat. Alongside Harrison, the ensemble includes Lukas Gage, known for his dynamic roles in television and film, and Jeffrey Wright, whose long-standing association with Basquiat brings a multi-generational perspective to the project .

Jean-Michel Basquiat was more than an art prodigy—he was a cultural disruptor whose personal identity was as layered as his canvases. Openly queer, Basquiat’s relationships—including his well-documented romance with Madonna—were part of a broader tapestry of artistic and personal experimentation that defied the conventions of his time. His queerness informed his worldview and his art, challenging the heteronormative status quo of the 1980s art scene .

The significance of Basquiat’s identity cannot be overstated. As one of the few Black, queer artists to achieve global recognition in the 20th century, his work continues to inspire younger generations of LGBTQ+ artists and activists."Samo Lives" aims to engage directly with these under-explored aspects of Basquiat’s life, offering audiences a more complete picture of the artist as both an icon of resistance and a deeply human figure .

The production of "Samo Lives" took place across New York City and New Jersey, with the East Village—long associated with Basquiat’s rise—serving as a living canvas for the film’s narrative. Locations such as Tompkins Square Park and the Bowery are not just backdrops but characters in their own right, capturing the kinetic energy and creative chaos of 1980s downtown Manhattan .

Basquiat’s original graffiti tag, "SAMO," which stood for"Same Old," is woven throughout the film as a motif, symbolizing his critique of commercialism and social conformity. From his early days scrawling enigmatic phrases on city walls to his meteoric ascent in the gallery world,"Samo Lives" promises to immerse viewers in the spaces and relationships that defined Basquiat’s journey

The supporting cast of "Samo Lives" brings together a diverse array of talent poised to embody the vibrant milieu that shaped and was shaped by Basquiat. Lukas Gage, who has become known for his portrayals of complex, often queer characters, joins an ensemble that spans actors, musicians, and artists—reflecting the polymathic nature of Basquiat’s social sphere .

Jeffrey Wright’s return to the Basquiat narrative is particularly notable. As the star of the 1996 film "Basquiat," Wright helped introduce the artist to a wider audience at a time when his legacy was still being defined. His involvement in "Samo Lives" serves as a bridge between two generations of storytelling about Basquiat, bringing both continuity and new insight to the project .

"Samo Lives" arrives at a critical moment for both queer and Black representation in mainstream cinema. The film not only centers a queer, Black protagonist but is itself the product of a creative team that reflects the communities it seeks to represent. Director Julius Onah and lead actor Kelvin Harrison Jr. have both spoken about the importance of authenticity, nuance, and intersectionality in telling Basquiat’s story .

The choice to shoot on location in New York City further grounds the film in the lived realities of Basquiat’s life, echoing his own commitment to making art that was inseparable from the world around him. The production’s engagement with local communities and its attention to historical detail underscore its ambition to do justice to a figure as complex and influential as Basquiat .

As "Samo Lives" prepares for its eventual release, anticipation is high among art lovers, LGBTQ+ advocates, and those who see in Basquiat not just an artist, but a symbol of the power of difference and defiance. The film’s creative choices—from its casting to its locations—signal a new era in biographical storytelling, one that foregrounds voices that have too often been marginalized or misunderstood.

With Kelvin Harrison Jr. at the helm as Basquiat, and with a dynamic supporting cast including Lukas Gage and Jeffrey Wright, "Samo Lives" is poised to offer a definitive, inclusive portrait of a queer, Black artist whose work and world remain as urgent as ever .