Tricky was in The Fifth Element, and Rihanna is already in Luke Besson's Valerian. Now, the director is continuing to add musical names to his latest sci-fi epic, with jazz legend Herbie Hancock the latest to be cast.
To be clear, this is not, as far as we know, a soundtrack story: Hancock is playing a character in the film. He's previously appeared in front of the camera in Hitters and 'Round Midnight, although he was also involved with the music for both of those films, so there may be more to this than meets the eye. "Herbie Hancock is a legend," is all Besson has so far said, via his Instagram account. "His music was my only friend at 14... I learned so much listening to this genius... I'm proud to have him for a role in Valerian."
Originally created by writer Pierre Christian and artist Jean-Claude Mezieres in 1967, the series of graphic novels on which Valerian is based chart the adventures of the titular time-travelling agent (Dane DeHaan) and his female sidekick, Laureline (Cara Delevingne). Clive Owen is also aboard, playing a man named Commander Arün Filitt, while John Goodman, Ethan Hawke and Rihanna are with Hancock in the as-yet unknown quantity category.
With a current full title of Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets, this promises to be the biggest project Besson has tackled since The Fifth Element: he was already calling it "The Fifth Element to the power of ten" five years ago. He’s spending $180 million to bring it to life, has effects houses Weta Digital, Industrial Light & Magic and Rodeo FX standing ready, and has been clearing space at his studio in Paris because he needs all available soundstages. Shooting starts imminently for a release in July, 2017.