It’s official, American author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates’ novel The Water Dancer is coming to the silver screen! This surrealist tale tells the story of one Hiram Walker, a young Black man who was born into slavery, who comes upon a shocking realization that his memories spark a teleportation power that can help enslaved people escape.

The film is being put up by MGM and, as of this week, will be directed by Nia DaCosta. DaCosta’s previous directing credits include 2021’s hit thriller Candyman and Little Woods which starred Tessa Thompson and Lily James. The NYU Tisch graduate is also set to direct Disney’s upcoming Captain Marvel film The Marvels. Her filmography may be small, but the 32-year-old director has proved her enormous talent with the success of all of her projects.

The Water Dancer is an extremely renowned title, having over a million copies printed, a true feat in this digital world, and has even been inducted as a selection of Oprah’s Book Club. The movie adaption will actually be produced by Oprah Winfrey as well, along with Brad Pitt’s Plan B and Maceo-Lyn.

No news about casting or a filming date has been released yet.