Issa Rae To Find Love In London In Paul Feig Rom-Com ‘American Princess’
Issa Raeis going to be anAmerican Princessin London in her first major feature film starring role. TheInsecureco-creator and star has been cast as the lead in thePaul Feig-produced rom-comAmerican Princessat 20th Century Fox.
Issa Rae will star in the upcoming 20th Century Fox romantic-comedyAmerican Princess, which is set to be helmed byEverything, EverythingdirectorStella Meghie, according toThe Hollywood Reporter. Feig is set to produce the rom-com through his Feigco Entertainment banner withJessie Henderson.Brendan O’Brienwill also produce.
American Princesscomes on the heels of the massive success ofCrazy Rich Asians, which ushered in a new era for bothminority-led studio filmsandrom-coms. Judging by the logline for the film, the premise forAmerican Princessseems very inspired byCrazyRich Asians, with our plucky heroine falling in love in London amidst a clash of classes. Per THR:
American Princessis penned byAmy Aniobi, who has worked with Rae onInsecureas a writer/co-executive producer. The film will be Rae’s debut as the lead in a major feature film, after recently appearing in a supporting role inThe Hate U Give. Rae has garnered acclaim for her work on the HBO comedy seriesInsecure, for which she’s received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. It’s been a meteoric rise for Rae, who began her career through the self-created YouTube web seriesThe Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl— which partially inspired the award-winningInsecure. Rae also recently wrapped filming another starring role inLittle, a Universal comedy withBlack-ishstar Marsai Martin.
It seems that withCrazy Rich Asiansand the upcomingAmerican Princess, the rom-com is back in full force. And I couldn’t be happier. With more rom-coms lead by people of color, the genre is evolving with the times, while offering the healthy dose of escapism that we’re all in desperate need of. Feig’s backing is encouraging as well — the filmmaker recently made the hugely entertaining trash-caperA Simple Favorand has helped shepherd more female-centric comedies withBridesmaidsand the recentGhostbustersreboot. But I’m glad that he’s stepped back from directing and is instead boosting female directors like Meghie for this project.
