So it’s actually happening! Yes indeed folks… what a time to be alive, right?
In brief, it’s an idea that began as a Twitter suggestion when the above 2014 photo of Rihanna and Lupita Nyong’o went viral, thanks to the below tweet.
Rihanna looks like she scams rich white men and lupita is the computer smart best friend that helps plan the scans https://t.co/PhWs1xd3nj
— WHOOPHERASSKOURTNI (@1800SADGAL) April 18, 2017
It would inspire many thousands of retweets and calls for the idea to become an actual movie, with Ava DuVernay directing from a script by Issa Rae.
And now it’s becoming a reality!
Netflix has reportedly picked up the project with the above 4 names attached (although Issa Rae is said to be “in talks” to write the screenplay”).
Apparently it was a hot property, as Entertainment Weekly (who broke the story at Cannes) reports, stating that Netflix made “a very aggressive bid,” beating out several other interested parties. Although Netflix has yet to confirm any of this, so we’re going strictly on Entertainment Weekly’s report. However, they are certainly a reputable source, so I have no reason to believe that this isn’t true.
The picture that started it all was taken during a Miu Miu fashion show that both Rihanna and Nyong’o attended in 2014.
A 2018 production start date is reportedly eyed.
One question that immediately comes to mind is whether the lady who originated the idea via her above tweet should/will receive any compensation for inspiring the whole project. This could be one of those precedent-setting situations.
Stay tuned for updates and any further confirmation on this…
I’m down if you are @rihanna https://t.co/vwHBWeCbFZ
— Lupita Nyong’o (@Lupita_Nyongo) April 21, 2017
I’m in Pit’z https://t.co/Kz0o3lBEmL
— Rihanna (@rihanna) April 23, 2017
@MikelleStreet @rihanna Lights set. Camera’s up. Ready to call action for these #queens. ???? pic.twitter.com/NVgqpFeTnu
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) April 24, 2017
@dvrrxll @rihanna pic.twitter.com/XG2WMribGJ
— Issa Rae (@IssaRae) April 23, 2017