Marlon James’ epic novel A Brief History of Seven Killings is on its way to an even longer shelf life with several Hollywood heavyweights now attached to the screen adaptation of the Man Booker prize-winning novel.
The Hollywood Reporter recently announced that Melina Matsoukas, director of the HBO hit series Insecure is on board for the adaptation for Amazon Studios and will executive produce and direct the episodes.
“It’s been my dream to bring this story to life onscreen since reading the first line of Marlon’s book. I am deeply honored to be entrusted with this tapestry of stories so entrenched in roots, reggae, race, mysticism, and politics while working alongside Marlon to ensure an authentic portrayal of his words,” said Matsoukas in a statement cited by the Hollywood Reporter. “A Brief History of Seven Killings is a complex story that needs to be told, about a people whose voices need to be heard,” Matsoukas said.
James will write and share exec producing duties.
Empire co-executive producer and writer, Malcolm Spellman will be the showrunner as well as an executive producer. Jill Soloway, creator of Transparent, and Eric Roth, who wrote Forrest Gump and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, will also exec produce.
Amazon Studios is also the home of Bosch, Man in the High Castle and the adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods.