Michael B. Jordan is one of the hottest young actors in Hollywood. Last year alone, he starred in the second-highest grossing picture ‘Black Panther’, as well as ‘Creed 2’ and HBO’s ‘Fahrenheit 451’, the latter of which earned Jordan a Producers Guild of America Award. Now he’s going from acting to producing and from ‘Black Panther’ to ‘Black Leopard, Red Wolf’. His imprint Outlier Society has optioned the book of that name by Marlon James, which was just released on Tuesday. This is the first project picked up by Outlier Society since signing a first-look deal with Warner Bros. last month.
‘Black Leopard, Red Wolf’ has been described as an African ‘Game of Thrones’ and counts Neil Gaiman among its fans. This is just the first book of the planned ‘Dark Star Trilogy’. Author James will serve as an executive producer of the film adaptation. No screenwriter or director has been announced for this project. It’s unclear if Jordan will simply produce this picture, or if he will also star.
The tale is set in a fantastical Africa and sees a slave trader hire several mercenaries to find a kidnapped boy. The story’s main character is a man named Tracker and features giants, necromancers, witches, and shape-shifters.
James’ 2014 novel, ‘A Brief History of Seven Killings’ won the Man Booker Prize.
In addition to George R.R. Martin, James’ work has been compared to that of J.R.R. Tolkien and Toni Morrison. The lead character in ‘Black Leopard, Red Wolf’, Tracker lives up to his name, with a nose that can track anyone over unbelievable distances and terrain. His quest takes him through a variety of kingdoms swarming with “flying beasts, cursed children, bush fairies, river witches, shape-shifters, Blood Swamp trolls, and ‘night demons from an age before this age’.” The ragtag gang he allies himself with has been compared to the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’.
Jordan will be seen in the drama ‘Just Mercy’ costarring another Marvel star, Brie Larson (‘Captain Marvel’). He is also set to star in ‘Without Remorse’, based on the novel by Tom Clancy, and ‘Wrong Answer’ to be directed by ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Creed’s Ryan Coogler.
Check back for updates as news emerges.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
