David Oyelowo makes directs ‘The Water Man,’ Oprah will serve as EP

Teaming up with Harpo Films, in his directorial debut he hopes to capture as much attention as 'Selma'

Actor, David Oyelowo and media maven, Oprah Winfrey will be teaming up again to work on a new movie drama titled, The Water Man.

Brianna Rhodes

Mar 27, 2019

David Oyelowo hosts The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Scientific and Technical Awards Ceremony on February 09, 2019 (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Actor, David Oyelowo and media maven, Oprah Winfrey will be teaming up again to work on a new movie drama titled, The Water Man.

According to Deadline, this will be Oyelowo’s first time directing and Winfrey will be serving as the executive producer for the project. The two previously worked alongside each other in the Oscar-nominated film, Selma.

The Golden Globe-nominated actor will be wearing many hats in the movie. He is also producing and starring in the film with the actress, Rosario Dawson and Lonnie Chavis from This Is Us. Amiah Miller, Alfred Molina and Maria Bello will also be starring in the movie.

The Water Man is written by Emma Needell, which is her “first spec script” and Shivani Rawat from ShivHans Pictures will finance the project. Rawat will be producing with Carla Gardini and Monica Levinson as well through Oyelowo’s Yoruba Saxon and Winfrey’s Harpo Films.

“We are thrilled to support David on his directorial debut,” Rawat, CEO of ShivHans said. “We can’t wait to start our adventure together in Oregon this Spring.”

The story focuses on a “precocious young boy” named Gunner (Chavis). In an effort to save his sick mother who is played by Dawson, the boy runs away with Jo (Miller), in search of the Water Man, who is known as a “legendary figure” who has the ability to “cheat death.” Although Gunner is extremely close to his mother, he and his father, Amos (Oyelowo) must learn more about each other while Amos sets out on the journey of finding Gunner.

“The Water Man as written by Emma Needell is that rare, beautiful script that can touch your heart and challenge your mind while also lifting your spirits,” Oyelowo said. “I feel blessed to be entrusted with bringing this imaginative and moving story to life.”

Oyelowo broke out into the film scene playing as Martin Luther King Jr. in the 2014 Ava DuVernay-directed film, Selma. Since then he has acted in many films including Queen of Katwe, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Butler, among others.

The actor has additional films coming out in the future including Peter Rabbit 2, Chaos Walking and Come Away.

Make sure to be on the lookout for Oyelowo on a movie screen near you!