Viola Davis and Julius Tennon’s JuVee Productions is bringing Afro-fantasy graphic novel The Untamed: A Sinner’s Prayer to the big screen.
Juvee has teamed up with Simon Swart and Andrew Cosby of Homeworld Entertainment to tackle an adaptation of the revenge fantasy indie franchise created by Sebastian A. Jones.
Jones, who has been running the fantasy franchise for the last 10 years via his Stanger Comics, will outline the script and direct the adaptation.
Davis, Tennon, Swart and Cobsy will act as producers on the project.
Set in the fantasy world of Asunda, The Untamed follows a character known simply as The Stranger who returns to the lawless town of Oasis. Under an unholy deal he made, he has seven days to collect the seven souls responsible for the murder of his wife and child or there will be hell to pay. But when he crosses paths with a young orphan named Niobe, his quest for vengeance may become a path to redemption.
While not a known quantity by those who frequent comic shops, Jones’ Untamed has grown into an indie hit thanks to direct-to-fans outreach such as successful Kickstarter campaigns and a constant, growing and popular presence at comic conventions. Since 2015, there have been eight campaigns set in the Asunda world totaling $631,602, with the last round raising over $100,000. The fantasy worlds are a blend of Medieval European history and African history and settings, with the works of J.R.R. Tolkein being an influence. Jones runs the company with Darrell May and Joshua Cozine.
“My goal has always been to create a poetic and cinematic drama wrapped up in a badass vengeance tale with the world at stake, “ said Jones in a statement. “For the setting, imagine the mood of a Spaghetti Western or a Kurosawa epic set in a beautiful and dangerous fantasy landscape.”
Having Davis involved is a full circle moment for Jones as the EGOT winner wrote the foreword to his original Niobe: She is Life graphic novel in 2017.
In a statement, Davis and Tennon said, “When Sebastian shared this incredible narrative with us over ten years ago, we knew then that the inclusive fantasy world of Asunda would resonate with audiences on a global scale. We believe that everyone is ready for a hero like Niobe, a badass Black woman whom Sebastian has brilliantly crafted to storm the world.”
Niobe was first introduced, alongside The Stranger, in The Untamed: A Sinner’s Prayer, written by Jones, with art by Peter Bergting and Darrell May, and covers and concepts by Hyoung Taek Nam.
Davis is already familiar with the comic world thanks to playing shady government agency director Amanda Waller in DC movies and shows such as The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, among a few others. She last starred in last year’s Amazon MGM action movie G20, on which she and Tennon acted as producers.
Homeworld is a global IP incubator founded by Swart and Cosby as well as Mike Ikeda, Tai Truesdell, and Nick Rathod. Its focus ranges from anime and manga to film and TV.
