Lena Waithe is turning her complex relationship with Issa Rae into a hilarious buddy comedy that will feature both of them in lead roles. The Emmy-winning actress, producer, and writer recently shared her exciting plans for a “funny and silly” film inspired by their friendship, which experienced a bit of a “breakup.” During her appearance on Bustle’s One Nightstand podcast, Waithe revealed, “I’m developing this movie for myself and Issa Rae. It’s a unique concept about our friendship and the humorous fallout from it.”
Initially, she aimed to write some comedic beats for Rae, but the project quickly evolved into a full script. “We’ve been Zooming and brainstorming how this could unfold,” Waithe explained. She noted that the characters will be “thinly veiled versions” of themselves, humorously admitting, “The characters are named Lena and Issa, so I’m not being very creative with that!” Both actresses are eager to portray themselves in the film, with Waithe playfully teasing, “Issa’s going to say, ‘Oh s***, now we really have to do this!’”
In related news, Waithe recently announced that her acclaimed Showtime series, The Chi, will conclude with its upcoming eighth season. This makes it one of Showtime’s second-longest-running series, alongside hits like Dexter, Homeland, and Weeds. Looking ahead, Waithe expressed her commitment to storytelling, community building, and creating spaces for underrepresented voices, stating, “I still plan on telling stories and making sure we all have a place where we can be seen.”
Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project and Lena Waithe’s future endeavors!
