Viola Davis Attached to Adaptation of ‘The Untamed’ Graphic Novel

Particularly in the 21st century, Viola Davis has carved out a name for herself as one of the most accomplished and respected actresses in Hollywood. She won an Academy Award (one of four nominations) for Best Supporting Actress after her work in 2016’s Fences and enjoyed a seven-year run in the leading role for ABC’s How to Get Away With Murder. She also has a long run in the comic-book-movie universe with her role as Amanda Waller in both the DC Extended Universe and James Gunn’s DC Universe, which is expected to continue in her own Waller solo series on HBO Max.

Now, Davis has her next project lined up, although it remains to be seen if it will feature the accomplished actress on screen. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Davis will join forces with Julius Tennon’s JuVee Productions for an adaptation of the Afro-fantasy graphic novel The Untamed: A Sinner’s Prayer. They will work with Simon Swart and Andrew Crosby of Homeworld Entertainment for this project, which will bring creator Sebastian A. Jones’ revenge fantasy indie series to life.

Set in a fictional world called Asunda, The Untamed follows a mysterious character named The Stranger who returns to a lawless town called Oasis. He has seven days to collect the seven souls responsible for murdering his wife and child, or he will be in for major trouble. This leads him to come across a young orphan named Niobe, who gives him a change of heart that leads to his quest for vengeance, changing to a journey towards redemption.

Notably, Davis wrote the foreword for Jones’ original Niobe: She is Life graphic novel in 2017, making this a full-circle moment with her involvement in the project. She and Tennon released a statement about the moment they heard about this story from Jones, explaining how the world is “ready for a hero like Niobe” to take the spotlight for the current generation of fans:

“When Sebastian shared this incredible narrative with us over ten years ago, we knew then that the inclusive fantasy world of Asunda would resonate with Audiences on a global scale. We believe that everyone is ready for a hero like Niobe, a badass Black woman whom Sebastian has brilliantly crafted to storm the world.”

What To Expect from Viola Davis’s Work on ‘The Untamed’

Viola Davis in G20

Prime Video

While Davis having a role in The Untamed‘s cast is still a question mark, her place as a producer on this project is sure to elevate the level of quality and excitement for its release. She has found success as an executive producer on hit projects like The Woman King and How to Get Away With Murder, and even with the issues Waller has faced in the DCU, fans are eager to see her influence on the character behind and in front of the camera.

Influenced by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien (known for his world-famous Lord of the Rings saga), this project should offer fans a new world to dive into that has not been in the public eye before. In an era that is fairly littered with universes and stories that fans have been familiar with for decades and countless sequels to hit pop culture movies coming out, The Untamed hopes to break through the Hollywood barrier and become something new that fans can get attached to.

For now, plenty of questions about the cast and the specific story being told are still being kept under wraps, and there is no timeline for production. Even so, the world of Asunda and the story of The Stranger and Niobe should be one that captivates graphic novel fans, especially with the visual teases viewers already have from the source material.