Lupita Nyong'o to Star in, Produce Film Adaptation of AMERICANAH

According to Deadline, Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o has signed on to star in and executive produce the film adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel AMERICANAH.

AMERICANAH is officially described as:

"Ifemelu and Obinze are young and in love when they depart military-ruled Nigeria for the West. Beautiful, self-assured Ifemelu heads for America, where despite her academic success, she is forced to grapple with what it means to be black for the first time. Quiet, thoughtful Obinze had hoped to join her, but with post-9/11 America closed to him, he instead plunges into a dangerous, undocumented life in London. Fifteen years later, they reunite in a newly democratic Nigeria, and reignite their passion-for each other and for their homeland."

D2 Productions, Plan B and Potboiler Productions will also produce with Nyong'o.

Nyong'o made her acting debut with the short film East River and subsequently starred in the Kenyan television series Shuga (2009). Also in 2009, she wrote, produced and directed the documentary film In My Genes.

Nyong'o later completed a master's degree in acting from the Yale School of Drama, followed by her first feature film role in Steve McQueen's historical drama 12 Years a Slave (2013). Her role in the film was widely acclaimed, earning her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, among numerous other awards and nominations. This week, it was announced that she had joined the cast of J.J. Abrams' Star Wars: Episode VII.