The film rights to The Hate U Give, an upcoming novel written by Angela Thomas has been acquired by Fox 2000, with George Tillman Jr. directing and Amandla Stenberg attached in the lead role.

Thomas’ debut novel is said to be inspired by The Black Lives Matter movement, Audrey Wells is the scriptwriter adapting the title for the silver screen. A bidding war for the rights has been going on for weeks. Multiple studios and producers threw their hats in the ring to win this property, but Fox 2000 came out on top with the winning bid.

The synopsis of this story follows the life of a 16 year old black girl named Starr. She grew up in an impoverished neighborhood, but through a series of events comes to attend a prep school in the suburbs. After witnessing a police officer shoot and kill her unarmed best friend she is called to testify in court and is caught in the middle of the two worlds in which she now occupies.

The title of The Hate U Give is based on legendary rapper Tupac Shakur’s iconic T.H.U.G. tattoo and was originally a short story intended for Thomas’ senior year project, but expanded it into a full length novel.

This has the potential to be a very powerful film, especially for the next generation of youth. This is definitely a project we’ll be keeping our eye on as production develops. Stories like this, that represent the black experience and are told through the words and talents of black people, are essential and necessary in this time more than ever.

Who else do you hope to see cast in The Hate U Give? Let us know in the comments.

Photo: Giphy
Photo: Giphy

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