Rihanna to make grand big screen comeback in ‘Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets’

“Work” singer Rihanna is all set for a big screen comeback this year. She has been cast for Luc Besson's upcoming sci-fi epic, “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.” The singer gets the chance to work alongside Cara Delevingne and Dane DeHaan.

The 28-year-old singer is expected to play an iconic supporting role in the upcoming film. In a promotional clip for the upcoming film, Rihanna (also known as Riri) can be seen magically transforming her appearance with a 1920s flapper getup.

Besson has confessed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that he seriously wanted to have Riri part of the film. "Rihanna was my first wish," the director told the publication. Besson explained that among the reasons he hoped Riri would be part of the film was her voice. The director also likes how she smiles and looks, as well as the way she carries herself.

Another reason why the director wished for the singer to be part of “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” was because she is not the kind who would be intimidated on the set. “She plays stadiums with 100,000 people. You know that girl isn’t shy about the camera and the crew and all this,” he said.

Besson has also hinted that Riri’s appearance in the film lasts for more than 20 minutes. He said all the scenes in which she has a part are all full of surprises. “She was very direct with me. She said ‘Luc, I want to learn, I want to work. Just let me do it,” the director shared. He described Riri as a great partner as she did everything he asked.

Apart from her work in music, Riri made her acting debut in a cameo role in film “Bring It On: All or Nothing.” Last year, she has become a member of the all-female spinoff of the “Ocean's Eleven” franchise, “Ocean's Eight.” The singer and actress got the chance to work opposite Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling, Anne Hathaway and Awkwafina. It was directed by Gary Ross.

She has also been featured on several singles, which include her first collaboration with Calvin Harris' "This Is What You Came For." The song reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. She was recognised with the MTV Video Vanguard Award at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards. “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” is slated to hit Australian theatres on Aug. 10.