The Oscar-winning actress is developing Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s critically acclaimed novel Americanah into a feature film in which she’ll also star.
Alexi Lubomirski for Lancôme
Earlier this week, it was announced that Lupita Nyong'o had joined the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII . And now, the Oscar-winning actress is taking on another very different project as producer and star of Americanah, the feature film adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's critically acclaimed novel about a young Nigerian woman who emigrates to America for a university education.
"It is such an honor to have the opportunity to bring Ms. Adichie's brilliant book to the screen," Nyong'o said in a statement. "Page after page I was struck by Ifemelu and Obinze's stories, whose experiences as African immigrants are so specific and also so imminently relatable. It is a thrilling challenge to tell a truly international story so full of love, humor and heart."
This marks an important career move for Nyong'o seeing as many black female Oscar winners and nominees that have preceded her have found difficulty flourishing on film after their wins. They've either since turned to television, like Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer who will star in ABC's How To Get Away With Murder and Fox's Red Band Society respectively next season, or failed to match the successes of their Oscar-winning roles. Mo'Nique, who won an Academy Award for Precious in 2010, has also yet to star in an acclaimed film since.
Nyong'o is surely aware of these pitfalls, taking very strategic next steps since her Oscar win for Best Supporting Actress in 12 Years A Slave earlier this year, particularly by taking control of Americanah behind the camera as well.
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