This is a first for The Weeknd! After having held a secondary role in Uncut Gems in 2019, Abel Tesfaye, of his real name, will be the hero of an upcoming feature film with Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan. If he has already co-written, produced and starred in the series The Idol (HBO), not yet broadcast, this is the first time that he has been given the lead role in a film for the big screen.
This new film does not yet have a title, but will be directed by the young American director of Waves, Trey Edward Shulz, as relayed by Deadline. Abel Tesfaye, the name he uses for his career in visuals, came up with the original script idea, and filming began in Los Angeles.
And the music ?
Reza Fahim participates in the writing and is one of the co-producers, like The Weeknd, Kevin Turen and Harrison Kreiss. Jenna Ortega will serve as co-executive producer alongside Shulz.
Multi-card artist, the Grammy winner and Oscar nominee will also put his two cents in the soundtrack of this film. Abel Tesfaye will indeed support the experimental electronic musician OPN (Oneohtric Point Never, Daniel Lopatin of his real surname), with whom he has already collaborated on several occasions.
