Disney has acquired a pitch for Sadé, described as “a live-action fairytale film about an African Princess.”
It is based on a original idea from Ola Shokunbi and Lindsey Reed Palmer, and they both will write the screenplay.
Rick Famuyiwa is attached to produce. No director is attached as of yet.
Here’s the description from Deadline, who broke the news: It centers on a young African girl named Sadé who, when her kingdom is threatened by a mysterious evil force, accepts her newly discovered magical warrior powers to protect herself and her people. With the help of the kingdom’s prince, Sadé embarks on an adventure that will allow her to embrace what makes her special and save the kingdom.
This would be the first time an original Disney princess film would be led by a African character. The first black princess was in 2009 with The Princess and the Frog, loosely based on the fable.