The digital space is rampant with social media stars, influencers and personalities, so it only seems natural that a production studio would take those stars to the big screen.
PopSugar Films, an offshoot of the lifestyle brand and platform that has built its reputation for millennial women online, has teamed up with Lionsgate to produce its first feature film, “Honored.”
YouTube personalities Meghan Rienks (“Freakish”), Arden Cho (“Teen Wolf”) and Karrueche Tran (“CLAWS”), as well as Sasha Pieterse (“Pretty Little Liars,” “Inherent Vice”), who has 7.3 million Instagram followers and close to 2 million on Twitter, are the four digital starlets leading the film.
“It’s gratifying to be in the company of so many talented women on this project, another sign of female empowerment rising in Hollywood,” executive producer Zoe Saldana said in a statement to Variety.
The high school drama, produced by Zoe Saldana’s Cinestar Pictures in partnership with Lionsgate and Untitled Entertainment, follows three childhood best friends who reunite when the fourth member suddenly passes away.
Lionsgate has worked to bring together the growing number of digital influencers and the females behind those handles for the past two years. The studio teamed with Freddie Wong’s “RocketJump” for Hulu in 2015 and “Dirty Thirty” from Mamrie Hart, Hannah Hart and Grace Helbig in 2016. With “Honored,” Lionsgate’s collaboration with PopSugar’s considerable online following of millennials was the perfect fit.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with this talented cast and filmmaking team, made up almost exclusively of women,” Lionsgate’s Lindsay Gomez told Variety. “Popsugar’s platform supporting empowerment and strong female representation aligns with our vision for this film. We look forward to working with this passionate group as we bring this script to life.”
Just like other digital media stars, Rienks’ social media success has helped land her several acting roles. Australian filmmaker Elissa Down will direct “Honored.” The film is set to begin shooting in Los Angeles this week.
