Sci-Fi Bulletin: Exploring the Universes of SF, Fantasy, Horror and Spy-fi!

Ta-Nehisi Coates’ debut novel The Water Dancer is heading for the big screen, courtesy of Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films and Brad Pitt’s Plan B, alongside Kamilah Forbes.

Coates has adapted the novel himself, according to THR, which was published last year. Set in the pre-Civil War South, the story follows Hiram Walker, born into bondage. He possesses amazing photographic memory but has no memory of his mother. A car accident reveals to him a superpower called conduction, an ability to travel large distances and that is triggered by powerful memories of his mother. As he struggles to gain an understanding of this power, he becomes involved with the Underground Railroad and meets historical figures.

“Ta-Nehisi’s debut fiction novel has at its heart, a beautiful character in Hiram Walker, whose personal odyssey weaves the supernatural and spiritual, with the terrible reality of the forced separations endured by enslaved people and their families for centuries,” said MGM’s film group chairman Michael De Luca and MGM’s film group president Pamela Abdy in a statement. “Hiram’s story is one of devotion to those he loves, and the journey he takes to bring them together. All of us at MGM are incredibly honoured to join Ta-Nehisi, Kamilah, Plan B and Harpo Films in bringing this film to the screen.”

“I’m honoured to be working with Harpo, Plan B and my old friend Kamilah Forbes,” added Coates. “We all believe that MGM is the best home for this adaptation and look forward to bringing it to life.”