In addition to starring opposite the breakout 'Wednesday' star and 'The Banshees of Inisherin' actor Barry Keoghan, the 'Blinding Lights' hitmaker will co-write the untitled film and serve as producer.
- Mar 1, 2023
AceShowbiz - The Weeknd is set to make his feature acting debut. The "Blinding Lights" hitmaker is currently gearing up for his first starring role in a feature film, where he'll appear opposite breakout star Jenna Ortega.
According to a report from Deadline on Tuesday, February 28, Abel Tesfaye will co-write the as-of-yet untitled film and will also serve as producer. Alongside Jenna, the star of "Wednesday" and "Scream VI", "The Banshees of Inisherin" actor Barry Keoghan is the only other cast member revealed thus far, while co-writer Trey Edward Shults has been tapped to direct.
Little details are known about the plot, but Jenna and Barry reportedly joined the film after reading the script and being "blown away."
While this will serve as The Weeknd's first starring film role, he'll soon star on HBO's forthcoming series, "The Idol". The superstar singer also co-created the show, doing so alongside "Euphoria" creator Sam Levinson.
"The Idol" follows a Los Angeles club owner and cult leader (The Weeknd) who enters into a complicated relationship with a rising pop star (Lily-Rose Depp). The cast also includes Troye Sivan, Debby Ryan and Rachel Sennott, with former "Saved by the Bell" star Elizabeth Berkley, Melanie Liburd and the late Anne Heche having recurring roles, though it's unclear what the status of her role is since her passing.
Produced by A24, Bron Creative, Little Lamb and HBO Entertainment, "The Idol" was first announced in June 2021 and began shooting in and around Los Angeles in November of that year. In April 2022, however, it was reported the show was going in a new creative direction amid changes to its cast.
"The Idol's creative team continues to build, refine, and evolve their vision for the show and they have aligned on a new creative direction," HBO said in the statement. "The production will be adjusting its cast and crew accordingly to best serve this new approach to the series."
A release date for "The Idol" has yet to be announced.
