Prentice Penny To Direct & Exec Produce Adaptation Of Jerry Craft’s Graphic Novel ‘New Kid’ For Universal; Taps Eli Wilson Pelton To Write The Script
deadline.comPrentice Penny (Insecure, Uncorked) has signed on to direct an adaptation of the New York Times bestselling graphic novel New Kid for Universal Pictures, tapping Eli Wilson Pelton (Insecure, Bridgerton) to adapt the script.
His production company A Penny For Your Thoughts Entertainment has also come aboard to develop and produce the film alongside The SpringHill Company.New Kid tells the story of Jordan Banks, who experiences culture shock as one of the few kids of color when his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school, struggling both to start over and to fit in.
The graphic novel from award-winning author-illustrator Jerry Craft was published by HarperCollins in 2019 and subsequently became the first to win the coveted Newbery Medal, as well as the Coretta Scott King Award.Universal Pictures acquired the rights to New Kid in 2020 as part of its four-year, first-look deal with The SpringHill Company, which optioned the novel in 2019.
LeBron James and Maverick Carter will produce for SpringHill, with Craft and Penny exec producing alongside SpringHill’s Jamal Henderson and Spencer Beighley, and A Penny For Your Thoughts’ President and Partner Chris Pollack.
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