The Harriet filmmaker will write and direct The Shadow King.
Kasi Lemmons has boarded the World War II drama set during Benito Mussolini’s 1935 invasion of Ethiopia.
The feature is based on Maaza Mengiste’s historical fiction novel of the same name about the Ethiopian women soldiers who went to battle against Mussolini’s invading army.
The pic will be produced by Charles Roven and Richard Suckle. Stephanie Haymes-Roven and Curt Kanemoto will executive produced.
“Kasi’s films are epic and intimate all at once,” said Roven and Suckle. “It makes her the perfect filmmaker to bring to life Maaza’s complex characters and compelling world captured in ‘The Shadow King.’ We are thrilled to be working with her on such a special project.”
“Maaza Mengiste’s mesmerizing novel takes my breath away,” added Lemmons. “The imagery is so rich and powerful and the characters so vividly drawn, it naturally lends itself to adaptation. I’m very honored to be a part of bringing this brilliant book to the screen and I’m thrilled to be working with everyone at Atlas.”
