Janelle Monáe to Champion Underrepresented Voices in New Film Deal

If you didn’t watch Janelle Monáe'sDirty Computer (an “emotion picture”) and say “I want more of THAT,” then you need to go look in a mirror and ask yourself what different choices you should be making with your life.

If you did, however, let the wave of realization that more of the world’s creative decisions need to be made by our favorite former android musician wash over you like a flood of liquid rainbows, you’re in luck.

Monáe’s Wondaland Pictures has signed a first-look production deal with Universal Pictures. The companies will reportedly be banding together to “develop multi-genre content with an emphasis on championing underrepresented voices and groundbreaking perspectives.”

“There is an exciting, artistic revolution taking place in our industry, and Janelle and the talented team at Wondaland are at the forefront,” said Donna Langley of Universal Pictures. “Their forward-thinking, inclusive approach to content and storytelling make them a perfect fit for our studio.”

Though Monáe’s been a force to reckon with since the day she stepped into the public eye, the last several years have seen a huge rise in notability for her, from starring in Hidden Figures to releasing her long-awaited Dirty Computer album earlier this year— not to mention all the rumors surrounding her and actress Tessa Thompson.

Whether this deal means we’ll see more LGBTQ movies from Universal, or even better yet, a full length version of Dirty Computer, remains to be seen, but having people like Monáe influencing an industry that has long been run by straight white men can only lead us to better things.

And in the meantime, we at least have that live-action/CG mash-up Lady and the Tramp remake she and Tessa are starring in to look forward to, right?

Oh forget it, let's just rewatch Dirty Computer.