Sulwe
Netflix will adapt actress/author Lupita Nyongo’s children’s book “Sulwe” into an animated musical feature exploring themes of colorism, self-esteem and beauty.
The stoy follows a young Kenyan girl named Sulwe, who wishes for her dark skin to be lighter. One night, a shooting star sent by the Night opens her eyes and changes her perspective. [Source: Variety]
Gold Diggers
Mindy Kaling will executive produce a TV series adaptation of Sanjena Sathian’s novel “Gold Diggers” which the author will co-write. A search for potential showrunners and co-writers is currently underway.
Spanning two continents, the social satire and tale of magical realism centers on two teenagers in Bush-era Atlanta suburbs – one whose mother has been brewing an ancient alchemical potion from stolen gold. Ten years after a tragedy rips their community apart, they reunite and resurrect their old habits to save the mother. [Source: Deadline]
Voluntary Commital
Paramount TV Studios is set to develop the psychological supernatural thriller series “Voluntary Committal” based on the novella by “Locke & Key” author Joe Hill. Hill, Brad Caleb Kane (“Warrior,” “Black Sails”), Bob Cooper (“Mr. Woodcock”) and Tom Lerner will executive produce for Landscape Entertainment.
The story follows a man’s quest to discover the truth about his autistic brother’s disappearance, and that of various people in his town. The series will concurrently unfold across two timelines – the present and his teenage years with his maze building brother.[Source: Deadline]
Fall
Working Title has optioned TV rights to “A Very English Scandal” author John Preston’s non-fiction book “Fall: The Mystery of Robert Maxwell” with plans for a limited TV series adaptation to shoot this year.
The project charts British media mogul Robert Maxwell’s rise, fall and mysterious death falling off his yacht at sea leading to the collapse of his empire and family. Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner will produce. [Source: Variety]
We Hunt the Flame
STXtv has optioned the rights to adapt Hafsah Faizal’s young adult bestseller “We Hunt the Flame” into a one-hour TV series set in a fantasy world inspired by ancient Arabia.
The story follows a female hunter and an assassin prince who are put on a collision course full of adventure, darkness and romance as they find themselves on opposing quests to return magic to their kingdom. Faizail will executive produce. [Source: Deadline]
