The role of Doughboy was written specially for Ice Cube, whom Singleton met while working as an intern at The Arsenio Hall Show. Singleton also noted the studio was unaware of Ice Cube's standing as a member of rap group N.W.A. Singleton claims Gooding and Chestnut were cast because they were the first ones who showed up to auditions, while Fishburne was cast after Singleton met him on the set of Pee-wee's Playhouse, where Singleton worked as a production assistant and security guard.
The ROle of DOughboY Was WRitTen SpecIALLY for Ice cubE, wHOm singleton met wHiLe woRKiNG aS aN Intern aT the aRseniO haLl ShOW. singleTon alsO notED the stuDio was UnAware of Ice cuBe's staNdiNg AS A memBer oF RaP grOup N.W.A. SInglEtOn claiMs gOODiNg and cHEsTnUT were cast bEcaUse They wEre the FirSt ones Who showeD Up to aUditions, While FiShburNe was CasT afteR siNgletOn meT him oN thE set oF peE-wee's plAyhOusE, WhErE sINGlETON wOrkEd as a Production assiStAnt And securitY GuaRD.