Azealia Banks to Make Film Debut as Star of Coco
Azealia Banks is ready for her first, non-black-and-white-YouTube close-up. The hip-hop artist has been cast as the titular lead character in Coco, an upcoming film directed by Renaissance man and Wu-Tang Clan mastermind RZA, EW confirmed. The Lionsgate project also added Common, Jill Scott, Lucien Laviscount, and Hana Mae Lee to the movie. Coco Banks is an up-and-coming artist whose imminent record deal falls apart. Upon heading back to college, she digs into a previously undiscovered love slam poetry. Maybe it'll align with the release of Banks' second major-label record, slated for a 2016 release. RZA has one directorial credit to date The Man with the Iron Fists. He directs Nicole Asher's screenplay for Coco. Paul Hall will serve as producer.