Actress and pop star Janelle Monáe is joining the voice cast of Disney’s live-action reboot of “Lady and the Tramp” opposite Tessa Thompson and Justin Theroux, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
Monáe will voice the role of Peg, a wise-cracking friend of Lady’s, voiced by Thompson. Peggy Lee voiced the role of Peg in the original animated film from 1955.
Representatives for Monáe did not immediately reply for comment.
Charlie Bean is directing the film from a script by Andrew Bujalski. The new “Lady and the Tramp” will be produced by Brigham Taylor, who co-produced the 2016 “Jungle Book” remake for Disney with director Jon Favreau.
The original “Lady and the Tramp” followed an upscale cocker spaniel whose spoiled life is up-ended when her owners have a baby. Finding herself out on the streets, she is saved by a scraggly stray who shows her how to not only survive but thrive on the streets.
Jessica Virtue and Chaz Salembier are overseeing the project for Disney.
The “Hidden Figures” and “Moonlight” star Monáe will next be seen in Robert Zemeckis’ “Welcome to Marwen,” and she’ll also be featured in the voice cast for the animated “UglyDolls.”
Monáe is represented by Paradigm, WME and ID Public Relations.
Deadline first reported the news.