Amandla Stenberg will take the lead role in ‘The Hate U Give’
The 17-year-old actress, who played young tribute Rue in the first instalment of ‘The Hunger Games’ blockbuster franchise, has boarded the cast of the movie adaptation of the upcoming debut novel from Angela Thomas.
The author announced the news on her official Twitter account and said she was delighted Amandla was on board to bring her protagonist Starr from the pages of her book "to life", and equally thrilled to have George Tillman Jr. behind the camera as director.
She penned: "Okay, I’ve stopped crying enough to Tweet. Guys, George Tillman. This movie is in wonderful hands. He GETS it. I got chills during our call. And of course @amandlastenberg. I’m thrilled beyond words that such a talented & intelligent person will be bringing Starr to life on screen."
She celebrated the news by listening to Beyonce’s ‘Formation’, and added: "Also, this is the perfect time to play the HELL out of Formation. Thank you, Queen Bey, for an anthem.
Amandla will play the lead 16-year-old girl who attends a suburban prep school while growing up in a poor neighbourhood.
Starr sees her best friend get shot by a police officer and causes her to questions the two very different worlds of which she’s become a part.
When she is called to testify in court, she has to face the consequences of what she does or doesn’t say.
In light of the multiple controversies that have sprung from black lives being taken by police in the US, the movie adaptation is being tipped as an important moment for art that reflects the times, and Teen Vogue said Amandla is "a perfect candidate" for taking on the topics at hand.
The Fox 2000 film is being produced by Wyck Godfrey and Mary Bowen – who produced ‘Temple Hill’ and ‘State Street’ and George will direct from a script penned by Audrey Wells.
Amandla Stenberg leads The Hate U Give cast
