David Oyelowo is taking his talents behind the camera. The Selma and Gringo actor has set his first feature directorial project with The Water Man, per Deadline. Oprah Winfrey is producing, while Oyelowo will direct from a script written by Emma Needell that was previously featured on the Black List.
Oyelowo will pull triple duty on the project, also acting as producer and starring alongside Rosario Dawson. Lonnie Chavis, Amiah Miller, Alfred Molina and Maria Bello are also on board.
The film revolves around a precocious young boy who, in order to save his ill mother, runs away from home with a local misfit and attempt to find the legendary figure known as the Water Man. It has been said that he has the power to cheat death. While the boy is extremely close to his mother, he and his father Amos – played by Oyelowo – are forced to learn about each other as Amos goes searching for his son.
Oyelowo said in a statement: “The Water Man as written by Emma Needell is that rare, beautiful script that can touch your heart and challenge your mind while also lifting your spirits. I feel blessed to be entrusted with bringing this imaginative and moving story to life”.
The film was previously set up at Disney. Shivani Rawat of ShivHans Pictures is now financing the project. Winfrey’s Harpo Films and Oyelowo’s Yoruba Saxon are also co-producing.
If Oyelowo’s directing talent matches his on-screen talent, The Water Man will be one to watch. He’ll next be seen in front of the camera in Peter Rabbit 2, Doug Liman‘s sci-fi film Chaos Walking, and alongside Angelina Jolie in the fantasy drama, Come Away.
#Peace.Love.TheWaterMan
