Singer-songstress Rihanna will star alongside Cara Delevingne and Dane DeHaan in Luc Besson’s upcoming sci-fi flick, Valerian, the director announced via Instagram earlier today.
It’s the first status report from the director’s all-new project in some time, and though he didn’t divulge the actress’ specific role, Besson was overjoyed to welcome the newcomer to the starry cast.
Taking inspiration from Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières’ eyponymous graphic novel series, Besson will write and direct Valerian, itself billed as a grand space opera taking place in the 28th century. While there’s nary a mention of Rihann’s part, DeHaan and Delevingne will take point as Valerian and Laureline, respectively, while Clive Owen recently joined the cast as Commander Arün Filitt.
Boasting themes of far-future utopian cities and good ol’ time travel, the director’s latest is not dissimilar to his cult hit The Fifth Element, which earned multiple awards back in 1997. Could Valerian take that success one step further in two years’ time? Or will it succumb to the same problems that sunk Warner Bros.’ big-budget flick Jupiter Ascending? Time will tell.
Luc Besson will whisk audiences away on a grand, intergalactic adventure when Valerian graces the silver screen on July 21, 2017.