Rapper 21 Savage is back, and he’s recruited Donald Glover and “Stranger Things” star Caleb McLaughlin to play him in a trailer for what is apparently a film titled “American Dream: The 21 Savage Story,” a memoir of his incarceration by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) beginning in 2019. As part of then-president Trump’s crackdown on undocumented citizens, Savage — who was raised in Atlanta but was born in the U.K. — was arrested by ICE in 2019, held for several weeks and threatened with deportation, but the “Free 21 Savage” campaign ultimately led to his release 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 includes new music from the Grammy-winning artist, whose last solo album was “I Am > I Was” in 2018 (although he has released two collaborative albums — “Savage Mode II” with Metro Boomin in 2020 and “Her Loss” with Drake in 2022 — and toured extensively since then). In the time since his last album, Savage won a Grammy for his song “A Lot” and is up for five awards at next month’s ceremony; he also co-headlined Drake’s “It’s All a Blur” tour last year.
Glover, his brother Stephen Glover, Jamal Olori and Fam Udeorji direct the trailer for “American Dream,” which teases brand new music by Savage. The “Atlanta” star and McLaughlin play Savage in two different generations while “in the heat of a personal crisis,” according to a release for the trailer. A young Savage, played by McLaughlin, is seen getting bullied at school before turning to rap music and getting tattooed. Donald then takes over the role and hits the studio with rapper-producer Metro Boomin (played by Jabari Banks). However, things take a turn when ICE officials raid his home and he appears in court. In the end, Savage is released, wins a Grammy, gets knighted by an opulent Natasha Lyonne and recounts how he earned the name “21 Savage.”
The “American Born” trailer also stars “Haunting of Hill House” star Victoria Pedretti and “Beef” actor Young Mazino as Savage’s lawyers, Chad Lindberg, Gail Bean and internet comedian Druski. The film was produced by Tara Razavi and Udeorji. The trailer ends with a screen saying the film will release in theaters on “Independence Day.” A Lionsgate logo also appears at the beginning, but it’s not clear if a feature film actually exists as of yet.
Variety will have more on the project as news becomes available.