Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o is teaming up with The Daily Show host Trevor Noah to bring his memoir, Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, to the big screen.
“When I read @TrevorNoah’s Born A Crime, I could not put the book down,” the Kenyan actress shared on Instagram on Thursday. “Excited to announce that I will be starring in and producing its feature film adaptation! #BornACrime”
In response, Noah tweeted “I’m in heaven.”
The Black Panther star will play Noah’s mother, Patricia, who survived a gunshot to the head in 2009. The big-screen adaptation will be produced by Noah’s Ark Angel Productions, Mainstay Entertainment and Nyong’o, Deadline reported.
Nyong’o previously directed and produced the 2009 race-exploring documentary In My Genes.
Born a Crime was released in 2016 and became an award-winning best-seller. It chronicles Noah’s coming of age in South Africa in the twilight of apartheid. He was born to a white Swiss father and a black Xhosa mother during a time when their relationship was illegal and punishable with prison time.
The comedian used the tales of his youth and mixed-race heritage in his eponymous stand-up show before booking his current gig as Jon Stewart’s Daily Show successor. Noah is expected to publish a follow-up memoir in November.
