You are viewing your 1 free article this month. Login to read more articles.
Willow Smith has bought the film rights to YA fantasy trilogy Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton (Faber) with a view to starring in it.
The actress and singer, daughter of Hollywood film star Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, and her production company MSFTS Production acquired the rights to the project along with management and production company Cartel Entertainment. Paradigm Talent Agency's Dana Spector brokered the film deal on behalf of London-based Molly Ker Hawn at the Bent Agency. Smith produces alongside her manager Miguel Melendez and Cartel’s Stan Spry, Jeff Holland, and Claire Abramowitz.
The trilogy follows 17-year-old Amani as she flees her hometown of Dustwalk on a dangerous journey through the desert nation of Miraji, where mortals rule, but mythical beasts still roam the wild. The titles were published in the US by Penguin Viking following an eight-publisher auction and Ker Hawn described it as “one of the most accomplished debuts I’ve ever read”.
A Faber spokesperson said: “Rebel of the Sands is an international phenomenon and has been published in over 15 countries, and was Goodreads' 2016 Debut of the Year. The highly anticipated sequel, Traitor to the Throne was published this spring.”
Smith said: “The nonphysical, creative and, wild nature of a female heroine’s journey calls for a unique narrative structure that permeates the very foundation of the story. Enjoy the ride.”