‘A24
has acquired worldwide rights to Native Son, an adaptation of the Richard Wright novel. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks has written the script and artist Rashid Johnson will direct the film. Ashton Sanders in final negotiations to take on the iconic role of Bigger Thomas and Margaret Qualley, Nick Robinson, KiKi Layne and Bill Camp are also set. Matthew Libatique will be the director of photography.
The film was developed and will be produced by Bow and Arrow Entertainment’s Matthew Pernicaro and Michael Sherman. Production begins April 9.
UTA Independent Film Group negotiated the Native Son deal on behalf of the filmmakers.
Johnson is represented by UTA and Ziffren Brittenham. Parks is represented by UTA and Schreck Rose & Dapello. Bow and Arrow is represented by Levin Law Corp. Sanders, who just wrapped Equalizer 2 and stars in Captive State for Focus, is repped by Hyperion and The Savage Agency, and is managed by ESI Network. Robinson is with UTA, Management 360 and The Savage Agency.
Bow and Arrow’s recent films include and Sundance 2017 entries Jeff Baena’s The Little Hours, Alex Ross Perry’s Golden Exits and Dustin Guy Defa’s Person To Person. The company will next produce Perry’s Her Smell, starring Elisabeth Moss.’
Via Deadline
The Book to Screen Club 