By Lindsey Bahr, Film Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --Director Luc Besson says getting Rihanna's team on board for her role in the sci-fi epic "Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets" was a little painful at first.
Rihanna's manager Jay Brown was a fan of Besson's films like "The Professional" and "La Femme Nikita" but they had to make sure they trusted Besson and his crew before they committed.
The pop superstar co-stars in "Valerian," out July 21, as a burlesque dancer named Bubble who performs in a seedy club owned by Ethan Hawke. Although it's a relatively small part in the film starring Cara Delevingne and Dane DeHaan, it's already being hailed by early viewers as a scene-stealing performance.
Rihanna, who wasn't available for an interview, was the director's first choice for the pivotal role and he figured it couldn't hurt to ask. She'd had a main role in the 2012 film "Battleship" and the animated "Home," and cameos in "This Is the End" and "Annie."
He was surprised at how involved her team was at the outset.
"They're very protective of her," he said "So before you get in, you have to prove that you're honest and you're there for a good reason … . It's a little painful at the beginning, but after a while you go, 'Yeah, we get it.'"
Once the Grammy winner's team decided to move forward, Besson said Rihanna "was lovely."
"What was good was when she was on the set she's 200 percent focused with you, no entourage, she's there. When she's there, she's there," Besson said.
"The problem, sometimes, is to have her there," the French director added with a smile, to which his wife and producer Virginie Besson-Silla quickly jumped in and said, "No, no, she's was good!"
"She was good," Besson agreed. "She was amazing and so focused. I was surprised by how much she was ready and open to the director … She was at my service and I was surprised at the beginning. She was so generous."
The Many Hires Jeremiah Wassom As Group Creative Director
Independent agency The Many has added Jeremiah Wassom as group creative director.
Wassom most recently worked a decade at Deutsch LA where, as SVP/creative director, he led the Taco Bell account and won new business for the agency. His agency past also includes AKQA and TBWAChiatDay. His creative work has touched the QSR, video games, automotive, fashion, and culture brand sectors. He also served eight years with the United States Marine Corps.
“Throughout his career, Jeremiah has helmed work that has not only made me personally jealous but has consistently pushed brands to show up in memorable and innovative ways,” said Josh Paialii, head of creative at The Many. “One look at his body of work and you will see his passion for storytelling and craft has raised the bar for entire categories, driving participation with many brands’ most loyal fans. Beyond being a world-class creative director and maker, Wassom is a proven team player and strategic thought leader. He’ll be a great addition to the leadership team at The Many working across all accounts. His role will be immediately felt as he guides and supports each of the creative leads in the department.”
A 20-year creative with agency, brand, and freelance experience, Wassom has forged a creative approach which focuses on crafting engaging connections rather than simply make ads. He sees the need for advertising to mean more, not simply do more.
The Many believes that true business growth is made possible by harnessing the power of participation and partners with brands to forge deeper connections with consumers, cultivate trust and loyalty, and maximize marketing spend and execution. The agency is built around a flexible model that offers a suite of capabilities, including... Read More