Ben Okri Rewrites Novel to Drive Home Message on Slavery
Booker-prize-winning Nigerian author Been Okri has rewritten his 2008 novel Starbook. The new version, complete with a new title and cover, will be published this summer as The Last Gift of the Master Artists. Okri says that the new version of his mystical romance novel places more emphasis on transatlantic slavery, offering readers a “more considered” narrative. “It was a painstaking and agonising process. I still wanted the book to be magical and innocent but I also want it to be political. It all takes place just before the slave trade – in that moment of foreknowledge,” Okri said.
Crazy Rich Asians 2 Chooses New Writer Amy Wang
Warner Bros and Color Force have chosen Chinese-Australian writer Amy Wang as the screenwriter for Crazy Rich Asians 2. Wang replaces Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim following a 2019 controversy around pay parity. Wang has previously worked as the story editor on Netflix’s Brothers Sun from Brad Falchuk and Byron Wu. Wang also worked on From Scratch, an upcoming Netflix project adapted from the memoir of the same name by Tembi Locke. Plot and further details are still being kept under wraps for the anticipated sequel to Crazy Rich Asians. A third film is also planned.
Dolly Parton, James Patterson, and Reese Witherspoon Team Up for Run, Rose, Run Film Adaptation
Dolly Parton is returning to the big screen for an upcoming feature film adaption of Run, Rose, Run. The film is based on the novel Parton co-wrote with James Patterson. Parton and Patterson are producing the feature film for Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine. Witherspoon will also produce the movie along with Hello Sunshine’s President of Film and Television Lauren Neustadter. “James and I love Reese and look forward to working with her and her wonderful team,” Parton said.
J.R.R. Tolkien Estate Releases Rarely-Seen Illustrations from the Author
The estate for J.R.R. Tolkien has released a new website that includes paintings and illustrations from Tolkien not previously available to the public. The website can be browsed for free.