This is filmmaking these days.
In an era full of reboots of reboots (Spider-Man: Homecoming), this could potentially be one of the more original films to come along in a while.
The story goes: in April 2017 the picture above of Rihanna and actress Lupita Nyong’o, taken during the 2014 Paris Fashion Week, went viral once again when a Twitter user commented that the two looked like they were in a comedic heist film.
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
Interesting enough, Lupita saw the tweet and replied, “I’m down if you are, Rihanna.”
I'm down if you are @rihanna https://t.co/vwHBWeCbFZ
— Lupita Nyong'o (@Lupita_Nyongo) April 21, 2017
Rihanna then agreed.
I'm in Pit'z https://t.co/Kz0o3lBEmL
— Rihanna (@rihanna) April 23, 2017
Another Twitter user suggested that the fictional film be directed by the Academy Award-nominated Ava DuVernay. Ava “signed on” for it.
@MikelleStreet @rihanna Lights set. Camera's up. Ready to call action for these #queens. 👑 pic.twitter.com/NVgqpFeTnu
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) April 24, 2017
Then, Issa Rae (HBO’s Insecure) agreed to write the film.
@dvrrxll @rihanna pic.twitter.com/XG2WMribGJ
— Issa Rae (@IssaRae) April 23, 2017
Now, Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Netflix actually bought the rights to the Twitter movie after a bidding war at the Cannes Film Festival. And yes: Rihanna and Lupita will star, DuVernay will direct, and Rae will write the script. Not to mention, the Twitter users who imagined the concept for this film will be credited and included in the film as well.
For those keeping score: the Internet remains undefeated.