Fox 2000 has purchased the film rights to the upcoming novel On The Come Up from The Hate U Give author Angie Thomas. The latter novel has recently been adapted itself for the silver screen, and the studio is reuniting the team behind that film for this adaptation. George Tillman Jr. is returning to direct, while Thomas is on board as a producer herself alongside many big producing names.
On The Come Up is published today, and revolves around a 16-year-old named Bri who wants to become one of the greatest rappers of all time. She is the daughter of an underground hip-hop legend who died just before he was set to hit it big. Bri pours her anger and frustration into her first song, which goes viral – but for all the wrong reasons, putting her name at the centre of controversy.
The Hate U Give focuses on the aftermath of a high school student witnessing a police shooting. The book has remained on the New York Times Bestseller list for over 100 weeks and has received critical acclaim. The film adaptation, released in October and starring Amandla Stenberg and Regina Hall, has also received acclaim and made over $32 million worldwide at the box office.
Thomas has written just those two books, and already has critical acclaim and a movie adaptation of each. That is as impressive of a beginning of a career as you could ask for. Fox 2000 obviously has faith that On The Come Up can be equally as successful as The Hate U Give, and considering that film was given a $23 million budget, the studio will likely once again put its money where its mouth is.
#Peace.Love.OnTheComeUp
