Director Nia DaCoasta has joined MGM Studios' feature film adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates' 2019 debut novel The Water Dancer.

The story follows Young Hiram Walker, who is born into bondage, loses his mother as a child and eventually loses all memory of her.

Coates has also penned the screenplay based on his novel. The author-journalist will also produce the film through his banner Maceo-Lyn along with Brad Pitt's Plan B, and Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Films. 

DaCosta, who broke out with her debut feature Little Woods (2018), directed her next Candyman for MGM. She is in post-production on the superhero film The Marvels, set for a 2023 release.