After rising by means of the music business to make platinum data and Tremendous Bowl memes, Abel Tesfaye (higher identified than The Weeknd) has set his sights on new terrain: tv. The singer is starring in, co-writing, and govt producing HBO’s The Idol, the buzzy, controversial music business drama he co-created with Reza Fahim and Euphoria’s Sam Levinson. Lily-Rose Depp needs to star alongside Tesfaye.
Already touted as “the sleaziest love story in all of Hollywood”—and stirring up the investigative reporting to again that up—the story is alleged to observe “a feminine pop singer who begins a romance with an enigmatic LA membership proprietor who’s the chief of a secret cult,” per deadline. Depp and Tesfaye have been forged in these roles, respectively.
Behind the scenes, the premiere has shifted from its authentic deliberate date, with the most recent information reporting that HBO is eyeing a Cannes Movie Competition premiere in 2023. Within the meantime, The Idol has already captured headlines for happenings on and off set—from adjustments in course to reportedly disgruntled crew members, particularly following a report in Rolling Stone.
This is every little thing we all know to date.
When will The Idol be launched?
The precise date has not been introduced but. HBO has beforehand said, 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 pursuing a Cannes debut in Could.
Who’s within the forged of The Idol?
Past Depp and Tesfaye, quite a few big-name stars will make appearances. Jennie Kim, of the Okay-pop group Blackpink, will play an undisclosed position, as will 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 investigation.
Different casting bulletins embody: Melanie Liburd (This Is Us), Tunde Adebimpe (Rachel Getting Married), Steve Zissis (Completely happy Loss of life Day 2 U), Elizabeth Berkley Lauren (Showgirls), Nico Hiraga (Booksmart), 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 Hearth).
Is there a sneak peek of the collection?
Tesfaye premiered the primary teaser trailer on tour at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, July 16, 2022.
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The Idol | Official teaser | HBO
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On Saturday, Aug. 21, 2022, HBO launched the second teaser trailer after it debuted at Tesfaye’s live performance in Las Vegas the night time earlier than. The trailer emphasizes the attractive aspect of the business, earlier than a personality performed by Jane Adams says, “That is intercourse… That is what we’re promoting.”
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The Idol | Official Teaser 2 | HBO
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A 3rd teaser then arrived on October 6, 2022.
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The Idol | Official Teaser #3 | HBO
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Why was the present initially overhauled?
In late April 2022, HBO advised Deadline that it was “adjusting” The Idol’s forged and crew mid-production, citing a “new strategy” to the present. A spokeswoman for the community mentioned:
“The Idol’s inventive group continues to construct, refine, and evolve their imaginative and prescient for the present and so they have aligned on a brand new inventive course. The manufacturing might be adjusting its forged and crew accordingly to finest serve this new strategy to the collection. We sit up for sharing extra data quickly.”
Shortly after, information broke that director Amy Seimetz (The Girlfriend Expertise), who was purported to helm each episode of the collection, had left the challenge. Solid member Susanna Son (Pink Rocket), who was taking part in a cult member within the collection, additionally reportedly exited.
Deadline reported that Tesfaye was sad with the present’s inventive course, with sources saying he felt it was “leaning an excessive amount of right into a ‘feminine perspective.’” Nevertheless, IndieWire reported that Depp’s character was all the time meant to be on the heart of the collection from the beginning The outlet added that the inventive group “was effusive in its assist of the script and tough meeting” however Tesfaye “later voiced his considerations and needed reshoots.”
Seimetz additionally reportedly did not plan on directing the ultimate episode on account of scheduling conflicts with the Netflix/DC collection Candy Tooth, which filmed in New Zealand.
What different drama passed off behind the scenes?
On March 1, Rolling Stone reported that manufacturing on The Idol had gone “wildly, disgustingly off the rails,” citing 13 sources—together with crew members and people with information of the present. One supply known as the expertise a “shitshow,” given the reported delays, reshoots, price range points, and a number of last-minute script adjustments.
There was additionally, reportedly, a regarding change in course when Levinson got here on to direct following Seimetz’s exit, together with extra express content material and nudity. As one manufacturing member described it, “It was like every rape fantasy that any poisonous man would have within the present—after which the lady comes again for extra as a result of it makes her music higher.”
Depp, nevertheless, advised Rolling Stone that Levinson is the “finest director” she’s ever labored with, and she or he’s by no means “felt extra supported or revered in a inventive area, my enter and opinions extra valued.”
And whereas Levinson and Tesfaye declined to touch upon the story, Tesfaye later publicly responded on social media, saying, “Rolling Stone did we upset you?”
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HBO additionally responded, telling Selection in an announcement, “The preliminary strategy on the present and manufacturing of the early episodes, sadly, didn’t meet HBO requirements so we selected to make a change. All through the method, the inventive group has been dedicated to making a secure, collaborative, and mutually respectful working atmosphere, and final yr, the group made inventive adjustments they felt have been in the very best curiosity of each the manufacturing and the forged and crew.”
Sources additionally advised Selection that the sources quoted in Rolling Stone hadn’t seen the completed product of The Idol, which supposedly maintains a “feminine perspective.” One insider advised Selection that solely the pilot was reshot, so claims about price range have been “overblown.”
If the collection does certainly land at Cannes, anticipate a frenzy of consideration surrounding the massive premiere.
Erica Gonzales is the Senior Tradition Editor at ELLE.com, the place she oversees protection on TV, films, music, books, and extra. She was beforehand an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There’s a 75 % probability she’s listening to Lorde proper now.
Tradition Author
Lauren Puckett-Pope is a employees tradition author at ELLE, the place she primarily covers movie, tv and books. She was beforehand an affiliate editor at ELLE.
