News

Danai Gurira and Lupita Nyong’o are Writing the Screen Adaption of Americanah

Published

7 years ago

March 4, 2018

Bona Naija

Photo: Getty Images

Lupita Nyong’o and Danai Gurira are the gifts that keep on giving. After starring in the immensely successful Black Panther, for which both actresses received rave reviews, Nyong’o and Gurira have announced that they will be teaming up again, this time to write the screenplay for revered feminist authorChimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s best-selling novel Americanah. The adaptation, which will be a TV miniseries, has been in the works for some time. Nyong’o previously acquired the rights to the book back in 2014, but having starred in five Star Wars films, The Jungle Book, and Black Panther, as well as many others, the project has been slightly on the back burner.

Now, with the help of Gurira, it’s full steam ahead. Brad Pitt was announced as a producer in 2014, with David Oyelowo slated to star. The Americanahadaptation marks the third time Nyong’o and Gurira will have joined creative forces. In 2015, Nyong’o starred in Eclipsed, a Broadway play written by Gurira. Set in 2003, it follows five women and their struggle for survival during the end of the Second Liberian Civil War. Nyong’o’s performance won her a Tony nomination and a long-term collaborator in Gurira.

The pair may be making cinematic history together with Black Panther, but their relationship is far from being all work and no play. This time last year, the pair threw a joint birthday party (Coming to America themed, in keeping with their excellent cinematic taste). Since today marks Nyong’o’s 35th birthday, we’re hoping a well earned big night out is in the cards once more. Cheers to our favorite friends of 2018.

Source: @voguemagazine