After rising by way of the music trade to create platinum data and Tremendous Bowl memes, Abel Tesfaye (aka The Weeknd) has set his sights on a brand new discipline: tv. The singer stars in HBO’s, co-writes and is an govt producer The idolthe buzzing, controversial music trade drama he co-created with Reza Fahim and Euphoriais Sam Levinson. Lily-Rose Depp stars alongside Tesfaye.
Already touted as “the nastiest love story in all of Hollywood” — and the investigative reporting fanned out to help that — the story is alleged to comply with “a feminine pop singer who romances an enigmatic LA membership proprietor who’s the chief of a secret cult,” per deadline. Depp and Tesfaye had been solid in these roles respectively.
Behind the scenes, the premiere has been pushed again from its initially scheduled date, with the most recent information being that HBO is eyeing a 2023 Cannes Movie Pageant premiere. The idol has already made headlines for occasions on and off set – from path adjustments to reportedly disgruntled crew members, particularly after a report in Rolling stone.
Here is the whole lot we all know thus far.
When will The idol be launched?
The precise date has not but been introduced. HBO has beforehand acknowledged within the collection’ third teaser trailer launched final fall that the collection is coming in 2023. A number of sources have now knowledgeable Selection that the present is aiming for a Cannes debut in Might.
Who’s within the solid of The idol?
Along with Depp and Tesfaye, quite a few massive stars will carry out. Jennie Kim, of Okay-pop group Blackpink, will even play an undisclosed function Shiva child star Rachel Sennott and singer/actor Troye Sivan. Schitt’s Creek actor Dan Levy additionally seems in a scene launched by Tesfaye in response to Rolling stone‘s analysis.
Different casting bulletins embrace: Melanie Liburd (That is us), Tunde Adebimpe (Rachel is getting married), Steve Zissis (Completely satisfied Demise Day 2 U), Elizabeth Berkley Lauren (Present women), Nico Hiraga (Good ebook), Anne Heche (Six days seven nights), Juliebeth Gonzalez, Maya Eshet (teen wolf), Tyson Ritter (Preacher), Kate Lyn Sheil (Home of playing cards), Liz Sierra (God’s time), and Finley Rose Slater (Enjoying with fireplace).
Is there a preview of the collection?
Tesfaye premiered on Saturday, July 16, 2022 with the primary teaser trailer whereas on tour at MetLife Stadium.
On Saturday, August 21, 2022, HBO launched the second teaser trailer after it debuted the night time earlier than at Tesfaye’s live performance in Las Vegas. The trailer highlights the horny aspect of the trade, earlier than a personality performed by Jane Adams says, “That is intercourse… That is what we promote.”
A 3rd teaser then arrived on October 6, 2022.
Why was the present initially revised?
In late April 2022, HBO advised Deadline it was “adjusting.” The idol‘s solid and crew halfway by way of manufacturing, citing a “new method” to the present. A spokeswoman for the community stated:
“The idol‘s inventive staff continues to construct, refine and evolve their imaginative and prescient for the present they usually have launched into a brand new inventive path. The manufacturing will modify its solid and crew accordingly to finest serve this new method to the collection. We stay up for sharing extra info quickly.”
Quickly after, information got here that director Amy Seimetz (The girlfriend expertise), who would direct every episode of the collection, had left the venture. Solid member Susanna Son (Pink Rocket), who performed a cult member within the collection, additionally reportedly excited.
Deadline reported that Tesfaye was sad with the present’s inventive path, with sources saying he felt it “leaned an excessive amount of in the direction of a ‘feminine perspective'”. Nonetheless, IndieWire reported that Depp’s character ought to all the time be on the heart of the collection from the beginning. The outlet added that the inventive staff was “effusive in its help of the script and tough lower,” however that Tesfaye “later expressed issues and wished new takes.”
Seimetz additionally reportedly did not plan on directing the ultimate episode on account of scheduling conflicts with the Netflix/DC collection Candy toothwho filmed in New Zealand.
What different drama passed off behind the scenes?
on March 1st Rolling stone reported that manufacturing on The idol went “wild, disgusted off the rails”, citing 13 sources, together with crew members and people with data of the present. A supply known as the expertise a “shit present,” given the reported delays, reshoots, finances points, and a number of last-minute script adjustments.
There was additionally reportedly a worrying change of path when Levinson took cost following Seimetz’s departure, together with extra express content material and nudity. As one manufacturing member described it, “It was like all rape fantasy any poisonous man would have on the present — after which the girl comes again for extra as a result of it makes her music higher.”
Nonetheless, Depp advised Rolling stone that Levinson is the “biggest director” she has ever labored with, and that she has by no means felt “extra supported or revered in a inventive house, my enter and opinions extra valued.”
And whereas Levinson and Tesfaye declined to touch upon the story, Tesfaye later responded publicly on social media, saying, “Rolling stone did we upset you?
HBO additionally responded tellingly Selection in a press release: “Sadly, the preliminary method to the present and manufacturing of the early episodes was lower than HBO requirements, so we selected to make a change. All through the method, the inventive staff has been dedicated to making a secure, collaborative and mutually respectful work setting, and final 12 months the staff made inventive adjustments that they believed had been in one of the best pursuits of each the manufacturing and the solid and crew. ”
Sources have additionally stated so Selection that the sources cited in Rolling stone hadn’t seen the completed product The idol, who supposedly maintains a “feminine perspective.” That is what an insider advised me Selection that solely the pilot was reshot, so finances claims had been “exaggerated”.
If the collection does certainly land in Cannes, count on a frenzy of consideration round its grand premiere.
Erica Gonzales is the Senior Tradition Editor at ELLE.com, the place she oversees protection throughout TV, films, music, books and extra. She was beforehand an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There is a 75 % likelihood she’s listening to Lorde proper now.
Tradition Author
Lauren Puckett-Pope is a employees tradition author at ELLE, the place she primarily experiences on movie, tv and books. She was beforehand an affiliate editor at ELLE.
