2022 Oscar nominee Will Smith (King Richard) and two-time Emmy nominee David Oyelowo (The Girl Before) have come aboard Netflix’s film adaptation of Tọlá Okogwu’s upcoming book Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun as producers, Deadline has confirmed.
Onyeka is the first in a series of children’s books from the author, journalist and hair care educator, which is set to be published in the U.S. and UK by Simon & Schuster in June. It tells the story of a teenager who learns she has powers, subsequently traveling to Nigeria to learn more about her origins. There, she discovers a threat to her newfound magical community.
Ola Shokunbi is handling the screenplay adaptation. Smith and Co-President of Film Jon Mone will produce for Westbrook Studios, with Oyelowo for Yoruba Saxon. Westbrook Studios’ Heather Washington is exec producing alongside Yoruba Saxon’s Jessica Oyelowo.
Onyeka is the first in a series of children’s books from the author, journalist and hair care educator, which is set to be published in the U.S. and UK by Simon & Schuster in June. It tells the story of a teenager who learns she has powers, subsequently traveling to Nigeria to learn more about her origins. There, she discovers a threat to her newfound magical community.
Ola Shokunbi is handling the screenplay adaptation. Smith and Co-President of Film Jon Mone will produce for Westbrook Studios, with Oyelowo for Yoruba Saxon. Westbrook Studios’ Heather Washington is exec producing alongside Yoruba Saxon’s Jessica Oyelowo.
- 2/16/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios and David Oyelowo’s Yoruba Saxon have partnered with Netflix to produce the film adaptation of “Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun.”
Based on the upcoming book by British-Nigerian author, journalist and hair care educator Tọlá Okogwu, “Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun” tells the tale of a teenager who learns she has powers and travels to Nigeria to learn more about her origins, where she discovers a threat to her newfound magical community.
Described as “Black Panther” meets “X-Men” or “Percy Jackson,” the book is the first in an action-packed series for middle-grade children and will be published by Simon & Schuster in the U.S. and U.K. this June. Okogwu is represented by CAA and Claire Wilson at Rcw Literary Agency.
Ola Shokunbi is set to write the film adaptation after helping to bring “Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun” to Netflix.
Based on the upcoming book by British-Nigerian author, journalist and hair care educator Tọlá Okogwu, “Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun” tells the tale of a teenager who learns she has powers and travels to Nigeria to learn more about her origins, where she discovers a threat to her newfound magical community.
Described as “Black Panther” meets “X-Men” or “Percy Jackson,” the book is the first in an action-packed series for middle-grade children and will be published by Simon & Schuster in the U.S. and U.K. this June. Okogwu is represented by CAA and Claire Wilson at Rcw Literary Agency.
Ola Shokunbi is set to write the film adaptation after helping to bring “Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun” to Netflix.
- 2/16/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s production company Higher Ground Productions has expanded its executive team. Priya Swaminathan, the co-head of film and TV at the company, will step down from her role later this summer as part of the change.
Swaminathan was Higher Ground’s first hire, and she oversaw the company’s Oscar-winning “American Factory” and the Oscar-nominated “Crip Camp.” Tonia Davis will now serve as the sole head of film and TV.
Among the company’s new hires are Joe Paulson as head of business and strategy. He was formerly special assistant to the President at the White House and was deputy chief of staff to the former president, having worked with the Obamas since the earliest days of the campaign in 2007 and overseen the creation of Higher Ground.
The company also hired Dan Fierman as head of audio, creative director Anna Holmes and Mark R. Wright...
Swaminathan was Higher Ground’s first hire, and she oversaw the company’s Oscar-winning “American Factory” and the Oscar-nominated “Crip Camp.” Tonia Davis will now serve as the sole head of film and TV.
Among the company’s new hires are Joe Paulson as head of business and strategy. He was formerly special assistant to the President at the White House and was deputy chief of staff to the former president, having worked with the Obamas since the earliest days of the campaign in 2007 and overseen the creation of Higher Ground.
The company also hired Dan Fierman as head of audio, creative director Anna Holmes and Mark R. Wright...
- 7/29/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Priya Swaminathan is stepping down from her role as co-head of film and television at Higher Ground, the media company founded by President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama.
At the same time, the former president and First Lady announced several new additions to the company’s executive team, most notably hiring Joe Paulsen, an old Obama hand, as head of business and strategy.
Swaminathan, a former executive at Annapurna, was the first hire the Obamas made when they launched Higher Ground. She has helped grow the company since joining it in 2019, overseeing the rollout of the Oscar-winning documentary “American Factory” and the Oscar-nominated “Crip Camp.” The decision to leave the company was Swaminathan’s own and she remains a favorite of the Obamas, as evidenced by a glowing statement they released.
“We are so grateful to Priya for her tremendous impact at Higher Ground these past few years,” the Obamas said in a statement.
At the same time, the former president and First Lady announced several new additions to the company’s executive team, most notably hiring Joe Paulsen, an old Obama hand, as head of business and strategy.
Swaminathan, a former executive at Annapurna, was the first hire the Obamas made when they launched Higher Ground. She has helped grow the company since joining it in 2019, overseeing the rollout of the Oscar-winning documentary “American Factory” and the Oscar-nominated “Crip Camp.” The decision to leave the company was Swaminathan’s own and she remains a favorite of the Obamas, as evidenced by a glowing statement they released.
“We are so grateful to Priya for her tremendous impact at Higher Ground these past few years,” the Obamas said in a statement.
- 7/29/2021
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Six writers will provide love stories about Black teens for the crossover project.
Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground is reteaming with Temple Hill Entertainment to develop Blackout, a film and TV project for Netflix.
The project, being developed concurrently as both a series and a feature under Higher Ground’s overall deal with Netflix, will be based on Black love stories written by six different writers and all set during a power cut on a hot summer night in New York City.
The stories, from writers Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas (novelist behind Temple...
Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground is reteaming with Temple Hill Entertainment to develop Blackout, a film and TV project for Netflix.
The project, being developed concurrently as both a series and a feature under Higher Ground’s overall deal with Netflix, will be based on Black love stories written by six different writers and all set during a power cut on a hot summer night in New York City.
The stories, from writers Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas (novelist behind Temple...
- 7/13/2021
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
In the wake of the success of the Kevin Hart feature Fatherhood on Netflix, the producers of that movie, Higher Ground and Temple Hill, are collaborating with the streaming giant once again for a new project entitled Blackout, a film & television event which will be adapted from six different Black love stories written by six different writers.
Those scribes are Dhonielle Clayton (Tiny Pretty Things), Tiffany D. Jackson (Allegedly), Nic Stone (Dear Martin), Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give), Ashley Woodfolk (The Beauty that Remains) and Nicola Yoon. Blackout is being developed as part of Higher Ground’s overall deal with Netflix.
From the perspective of 12 teens with six shots of love, Blackout takes place as a heatwave blankets New York City in darkness and causes an electric chaos. When the lights go out and people reveal hidden truths, love blossoms, friendships transform, and all possibilities take flight.
Those scribes are Dhonielle Clayton (Tiny Pretty Things), Tiffany D. Jackson (Allegedly), Nic Stone (Dear Martin), Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give), Ashley Woodfolk (The Beauty that Remains) and Nicola Yoon. Blackout is being developed as part of Higher Ground’s overall deal with Netflix.
From the perspective of 12 teens with six shots of love, Blackout takes place as a heatwave blankets New York City in darkness and causes an electric chaos. When the lights go out and people reveal hidden truths, love blossoms, friendships transform, and all possibilities take flight.
- 7/12/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions has unveiled its next round of projects in development at Netflix.
Among the new film and series projects in the works are an adaptation of the Mohsin Hamid novel “Exit West” starring Riz Ahmed, a science fiction film written by Ola Shokunbi, a docuseries about National Parks and a series adaptation of the forthcoming novel “Firekeeper’s Daughter.”
“We created Higher Ground to tell great stories,” the former president and first lady said in a statement. “This group of projects builds upon that goal and the incredible path forged by films like Crip Camp, Becoming, and the Oscar-winning American Factory. From science fiction to the beauty of our natural world to the relationships that define us, Higher Ground continues to strive for fresh perspectives, compelling characters, and a healthy dose of inspiration. We couldn’t be more proud to team up with...
Among the new film and series projects in the works are an adaptation of the Mohsin Hamid novel “Exit West” starring Riz Ahmed, a science fiction film written by Ola Shokunbi, a docuseries about National Parks and a series adaptation of the forthcoming novel “Firekeeper’s Daughter.”
“We created Higher Ground to tell great stories,” the former president and first lady said in a statement. “This group of projects builds upon that goal and the incredible path forged by films like Crip Camp, Becoming, and the Oscar-winning American Factory. From science fiction to the beauty of our natural world to the relationships that define us, Higher Ground continues to strive for fresh perspectives, compelling characters, and a healthy dose of inspiration. We couldn’t be more proud to team up with...
- 2/5/2021
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s production company Higher Ground Productions has set its latest slate of film and TV projects for Netflix.
The streamer is developing two TV series and four feature films as part of the slate.
On the TV side, Reverie and Extant creator Mickey Fisher is adapting Firekeeper’s Daughter, the debut YA thriller from Angeline Boulley. The book follows an 18-year-old Native girl as she reluctantly goes undercover in a police investigation on her Ojibwe reservation. Fisher will serve as showrunner and co-write with Wenonah Wilms, the Horsehead Girls writer who is also from the Ojibwe tribe and will also act as exec producer.
Great National Parks is a natural history docuseries that comes from Blue Planet II filmmaker James Honeyborne. The series, which is produced with Wild Space Productions, will explore some of the most wondrous national parks and wild spaces on Earth...
The streamer is developing two TV series and four feature films as part of the slate.
On the TV side, Reverie and Extant creator Mickey Fisher is adapting Firekeeper’s Daughter, the debut YA thriller from Angeline Boulley. The book follows an 18-year-old Native girl as she reluctantly goes undercover in a police investigation on her Ojibwe reservation. Fisher will serve as showrunner and co-write with Wenonah Wilms, the Horsehead Girls writer who is also from the Ojibwe tribe and will also act as exec producer.
Great National Parks is a natural history docuseries that comes from Blue Planet II filmmaker James Honeyborne. The series, which is produced with Wild Space Productions, will explore some of the most wondrous national parks and wild spaces on Earth...
- 2/5/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground Productions, has set a slate of new projects under their deal with Netflix.
The new slate encompasses both TV and film projects, including a film adaptation of Mohsin Hamid’s critically-acclaimed novel “Exit West” and a biopic on Tenzing Norgay, who was the first person to reach the peak of Mount Everest alongside Sir Edmund Hillary. The company is also prepping a U.S. National Parks docuseries and a series adaptation of the Angeline Boulley book “Firekeeper’s Daughter.”
The full description of all the projects can be found below. They are currently in different stages of development, to be released over the next several years.
“We created Higher Ground to tell great stories,” the Obamas said. “This group of projects builds upon that goal and the incredible path forged by films like ‘Crip Camp,’ ‘Becoming,’ and the Oscar-winning ‘American Factory.
The new slate encompasses both TV and film projects, including a film adaptation of Mohsin Hamid’s critically-acclaimed novel “Exit West” and a biopic on Tenzing Norgay, who was the first person to reach the peak of Mount Everest alongside Sir Edmund Hillary. The company is also prepping a U.S. National Parks docuseries and a series adaptation of the Angeline Boulley book “Firekeeper’s Daughter.”
The full description of all the projects can be found below. They are currently in different stages of development, to be released over the next several years.
“We created Higher Ground to tell great stories,” the Obamas said. “This group of projects builds upon that goal and the incredible path forged by films like ‘Crip Camp,’ ‘Becoming,’ and the Oscar-winning ‘American Factory.
- 2/5/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Pipeline includes Satellite, The Young Wife.
Australian high-altitude director Jennifer Peedom’s Everest feature Tenzing has landed at Netflix under the streamer’s deal with former president Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions (Hgp).
The feature is one of several film and TV projects announced on the Higher Ground slate on Friday (February 5) that includes Oscar contender Riz Ahmed (Sound Of Metal) in the thriller Exit West, and a sci-fi from Rian Johnson (Knives Out) and his producer Ram Bergman.
Tenzing is based on the true story of Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa who accompanied Edmund Hillary on...
Australian high-altitude director Jennifer Peedom’s Everest feature Tenzing has landed at Netflix under the streamer’s deal with former president Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground Productions (Hgp).
The feature is one of several film and TV projects announced on the Higher Ground slate on Friday (February 5) that includes Oscar contender Riz Ahmed (Sound Of Metal) in the thriller Exit West, and a sci-fi from Rian Johnson (Knives Out) and his producer Ram Bergman.
Tenzing is based on the true story of Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa who accompanied Edmund Hillary on...
- 2/5/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Disney is developing a new live-action fairytale princess movie called Sade. The movie will center on an African princess and it's being produced by Rick Famuyiwa, who is best known for directing the film Dope.
The studio picked up the film from a pitch by Ola Shokunbi and Lindsey Reed Palmer, who will co-write the screenplay. The story centers around a young African girl named Sade "whose kingdom is threatened by a mysterious evil force and accepts her newly discovered magical powers to protect her people, with the help of the kingdom’s prince."
Yep, that's as Disney as a Disney princess story can get. There's no director attached yet, but I'm sure that they'll find the right person to tackle the challenge of helming the movie.
I assume the success of Marvel's Black Panther helped pave the way for this movie to get made.
Source: Variety...
The studio picked up the film from a pitch by Ola Shokunbi and Lindsey Reed Palmer, who will co-write the screenplay. The story centers around a young African girl named Sade "whose kingdom is threatened by a mysterious evil force and accepts her newly discovered magical powers to protect her people, with the help of the kingdom’s prince."
Yep, that's as Disney as a Disney princess story can get. There's no director attached yet, but I'm sure that they'll find the right person to tackle the challenge of helming the movie.
I assume the success of Marvel's Black Panther helped pave the way for this movie to get made.
Source: Variety...
- 7/30/2018
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Disney is developing its first fairytale film starring an African princess. The House of Mouse has tapped Dope director Rick Famuyiwa to produce Sadé, a live-action fantasy film featuring the studio’s very first African princess. Disney has bought the pitch to Sadé from writers Ola Shokunbi and Lindsey Reed Palmer, according to Variety. The pair are set to co-write the […]
The post ‘Dope’ Director Rick Famuyiwa is Developing Disney’s First African Princess Movie, ‘Sade’ appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Dope’ Director Rick Famuyiwa is Developing Disney’s First African Princess Movie, ‘Sade’ appeared first on /Film.
- 7/27/2018
- by Hoai-Tran Bui
- Slash Film
As Disney continues to explore new stories and properties to add to their ever-growing empire, it's been reported by Deadline that the House of Mouse has acquired a pitch for SADÉ, a live-action fairytale film about an African Princess. The project is based on an original idea by Ola Shokunbi and Lindsey Reed Palmer, with Dope director Rick... Read More...
- 7/27/2018
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Disney is developing live-action fairytale film “Sadé,” centered on an African princess with “Dope” director Rick Famuyiwa attached to produce.
The studio bought a pitch from Ola Shokunbi and Lindsey Reed Palmer, who will co-write the screenplay about a young African girl named Sadé whose kingdom is threatened by a mysterious evil force and accepts her newly discovered magical powers to protect her people, with the help of the kingdom’s prince.
Famuwiya will produce and Scott Falconer will executive produce through their Verse production banner. Tendo Nagenda and Zoe Kent are overseeing the project for the studio. A director has yet to be named.
Disney saw massive success this year with its Marvel tentpole “Black Panther,” set in the fictional African nation of Wakanda with worldwide box office grosses hitting $1.35 billion. It’s the third-highest domestic performer of all time at $700 million.
The studio’s 2009 animated comedy “The Princess and the Frog...
The studio bought a pitch from Ola Shokunbi and Lindsey Reed Palmer, who will co-write the screenplay about a young African girl named Sadé whose kingdom is threatened by a mysterious evil force and accepts her newly discovered magical powers to protect her people, with the help of the kingdom’s prince.
Famuwiya will produce and Scott Falconer will executive produce through their Verse production banner. Tendo Nagenda and Zoe Kent are overseeing the project for the studio. A director has yet to be named.
Disney saw massive success this year with its Marvel tentpole “Black Panther,” set in the fictional African nation of Wakanda with worldwide box office grosses hitting $1.35 billion. It’s the third-highest domestic performer of all time at $700 million.
The studio’s 2009 animated comedy “The Princess and the Frog...
- 7/27/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Disney has acquired a pitch for Sadé, a live-action fairytale film about an African Princess, based on an original idea by Ola Shokunbi and Lindsey Reed Palmer, which has Dope director Rick Famuyiwa is attached to produce, while Scott Falconer will serve as exec producer via their Verse production shingle.
Shokunbi and Palmer will co-write the screenplay. It centers on a young African girl named Sadé who, when her kingdom is threatened by a mysterious evil force, accepts her newly discovered magical warrior powers to protect herself and her people. With the help of the kingdom’s prince, Sadé embarks on an adventure that will allow her to embrace what makes her special and save the kingdom.
Tendo Nagenda and Zoe Kent are overseeing the project for the studio.
This pic will mark a first-time that an original Disney princess fairytale is led by a female African character. In 2009, Disney released the animated film,...
Shokunbi and Palmer will co-write the screenplay. It centers on a young African girl named Sadé who, when her kingdom is threatened by a mysterious evil force, accepts her newly discovered magical warrior powers to protect herself and her people. With the help of the kingdom’s prince, Sadé embarks on an adventure that will allow her to embrace what makes her special and save the kingdom.
Tendo Nagenda and Zoe Kent are overseeing the project for the studio.
This pic will mark a first-time that an original Disney princess fairytale is led by a female African character. In 2009, Disney released the animated film,...
- 7/27/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
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