Rihanna continues to expand her movie portfolio and is now set to star in Valerian, the new sci-fi film by French director and producer Luc Besson. Besson is best known for his work on off-beat sci-fi thrillers such as The Fifth Element. This isn't the pop star's first foray into the movie business, as she was featured in Battleship released in 2012, This Is The End in 2013 and then two years later had a part in 2015's Annie, produced by Will Smith.
The big news was officially announced by The Huffington Post via Rihanna's publicist this past Wednesday (Oct. 28). The reigning Queen of chart-topping pop R&B hits will also have a major role alongside her close friend, Cara Delevingne, who will portray character Laureline in the film. She will also act alongside Dane DeHaan in the movie, which is largely based on the French graphic novels Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.
"If it was not natural, I wouldn't be able to do it," Besson said on the predicted film's cost as reported by Billboard, "But this is such an adventure for me, and I know that it's really a turning point... it's the first time in the history of cinema in Europe."
He continued on the monumental aspect of introducing sci-fi film to Europe with, "The last example was The Fifth Element. It's like telling someone you're going to the Olympics and you're going to race, and there is Usain Bolt next to you. And you say, f*ck yeah, I want to run." Of course Besson will be running straight into a high-powered budget equal to $180 million, according to Billboard, but does not seem at all worried about the cost.
The star-studded film is due for release in theaters nationwide in July of next year.
