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Who Is the Originator of the Rihanna and Lupita Nyong’o Film That Has the Internet Buzzing?

Posted byBy Kiersten Willis | Published on: CommentsComments (0)

Rihanna and Lupita Nyong’o have set off a chain reaction for a possible action flick. (Pascal Le Segretain/Staff/Getty Images Entertainment)

When an image of Rihanna and Lupita Nyong’o went viral, a fan quickly thought of a possible action movie with them in the lead and now, it could be happening — but not without controversy about whose idea it really was.

Twitter user Ash shared the image of RiRi and Nyong’o sitting side by side at Paris Fashion Week in 2014. Things took off when @1800SADGAL came up with a movie plot featuring the singer and actress in the lead roles.

https://twitter.com/blaquepink/status/854420031479971846

The tweet earned nearly 95,000 retweets and 203,000+ likes, attracting the attention of Nyong’o and Rihanna, who agreed to take on the film.

“Whiplash” producer Helen Estrabrook said she’d “happily” produce the film and Twitter users quickly recruited the likes of director Ava DuVernay and “Insecure” creator Issa Rae to join in.

https://twitter.com/ava/status/856318715968634881

With interest from the stars and filmmakers, Twitter burst with excitement.

“Black-ish” star Yara Shahidi also made a bid for a role.

https://twitter.com/YaraShahidi/status/856344585177505796

Some recruited more stars to be part of the movie.

Others wanted to know when auditions were being held.

https://twitter.com/Ahh_Shh/status/856298139350966274

There was, however, some talk about who should get the credit for the film after sleuths discovered a similar plot had been posted on Tumblr two years ago. Confusion also ensued over another Twitter user, director/writer Xavier Burgin had come up with the idea.

http://elizabitchtaylor.tumblr.com/post/90856351997/they-look-like-theyre-in-a-heist-movie-with

A back-and-forth between @1800SADGAL and Mikelle Street followed over the merits of the accusation, with @1800SADGAL stating Burgin made it clear that she was the one to come up with the idea. She also noted she and the Tumblr user have come to a consensus about the movie.

https://twitter.com/MikelleStreet/status/856500845936074753

https://twitter.com/MikelleStreet/status/856502074607120384

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