Lupita Nyong’o to Produce and Star in AMERICANAH

Brad Pitt also producing….

It has been announced that Oscar-winning ’12 Years a Slave’ star Lupita Nyong’o, who recently scored a role in ‘Star Wars: Episode VII,’ is to produce and star in a feature adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel ‘Americanah.’

Published in 2013, the book tells the story of two young immigrant Nigerians, Ifemelu and Obinze, whose romance spans continents, visas, phone cards and breakups.

Nyong’o, who will star as Ifemelu, said of her involvement with the project:

“It is such an honour to have the opportunity to bring Ms. Adichie’s brilliant book to the screen. 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.”

Producers on the adaptation include Potboiler Productions, D2 Productions, and Brad Pitt’s Plan B.