We’ll always have a weak spot for the Drake duets, but Rihanna’s next musical collaborator might be her most intriguing yet. It’s Adam Driver, aka Hannah’s/Jessa’s boyfriend on Girls and the bus-driving poet of Paterson. Rihanna and Adam have been cast in the upcoming musical drama Annette by cult French director Leos Carax, Variety reports. Rooney Mara was also set to appear in the film but had to drop out due to other commitments such as gigging around Austin with Iggy Pop and Patti Smith.
The script for Annette was written by Ron and Russell Mael of California art-rock duo Sparks. The film will also feature original songs by the seminal yet reclusive pop provocateurs who count Morrissey and Sonic Youth as fans. It’s not yet clear what Rihanna’s role will be in the project, which IMDB says will be about a stand-up comedian who finds himself alone with his gifted two-year-old daughter after the death of his opera singer wife. Ghost Rihanna? The pop star does appear to have an interest in the afterlife.
Annette is expected to start shooting this spring, just prior to the release of Rihanna’s Luc Besson sci-fi Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, in which her equally multi-talented buddy Cara Delevingne also appears.
Update 3/17/2017: A representative for Rihanna has told [Pitchfork](http://They say Variety’s report is incorrect) that the pop start will not be appearing in “Annette,” saying Variety’s earlier report was incorrect.
Credits
Text Hannah Ongley
Photography Paolo Roversi [i-D The Music Issue]