Tola Okogwu's Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun To Hit Screen Months Away | Pawners Paper

With months away before it hits the shelves, the screen rights to Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun by the British-Nigerian author Tọlá Okog...

With months away before it hits the shelves, the screen rights to Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun by the British-Nigerian author Tọlá Okogwu has been snapped up by a combined power-house team of Hollywood superstars. Okogwu shared the news on Instagram.

According to several sources, three-time Oscar nominated actor Will Smith and Bafta nominee David Oyelowo have partnered to adapt the movie for Netflix. Smith is set to produce the movie alongside Jon Mone for Westbrook Studios, while Oyelowo will produce under his film company Yoruba Saxon. Other notable names attached to the project that we know of so far include the Nigerian screenwriter Ola Shokunbi. Heather Washington and Jessica Oyelowo from Westbrook Studios and Yoruba Saxons respectively will serve as executive producers.

Described as “Black Panther meets Percy Jackson,” Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun follows a young Nigerian girl’s discovery of her hair’s magical powers and the brave choices she has to make to use her powers for good to save what is dear to her. The book is the first in a forthcoming children’s book series by Tọlá Okogwu, who is famed for her self-published children’s book series Daddy Do My Hair.

—As culled from Brittle Paper