Richard Wright’s ‘Native Son’ to be adapted as film

A new film version of Richard Wright's iconic Native Son is in the works. The announcement gives fans hope that it'll be better than previous attempts.

TheGrio Staff

Feb 22, 2017

A new film version of Richard Wright’s iconic Native Son is in the works.

The announcement gives fans hope that it’ll be better than the two previous attempts to turn the 1940 novel into cinematic form.

According to Shadow and Act, Bow and Arrow Entertainment has announced that it has acquired the rights to Native Son, with Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Suzan-Lori Park set to adapt the screenplay and artist/photographer Rashid Johnson set to make his directorial debut. Matthew Perniciaro and Michael Sherman will produce.

There is not yet any news on casting or an estimated release date.

So, in the meantime, we can take a look back at the 1951 film adaptation, which starred Wright himself.