“What’s the point of having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?”
– Angie Thomas, The Hate U Give
Published in 2017, The Hate U Give was set as New York Times’s number one best selling young adult book of the year. Given the book’s success, this story of a young, black woman will be made into a movie, premiering near the end of 2018.
Author Angie Thomas made a splash with her debut novel, The Hate U Give, and now serves as a producer and influencer on the set of the movie adaptation, which will be released in December of 2018. Fans of the young adult novel can expect mirror images from book to movie as director George Tillman Jr, brings the Carter family to life.
Starr Carter, the protagonist, struggles to come to terms with the death of her childhood friend Kahlil at the hands of a police officer. Like so many in news headlines today, Kahlil was unarmed. As a witness, Carter hides from the press in her gang-ridden neighborhood, while continuing her education at a mostly white private school. It is up to her to bring justice for her friend, Kahlil, while also maintaining relationships with her less sympathetic friends at school.
Amandla Stenberg will bring Starr Carter’s braids and booksmarts to the big screen. Stenberg starred in both the Hunger Games and Everything, Everything. Russell Hornsby, who acted in 2016’s Fences, will play her father, Maverick, a former gang member and current grocery store owner. His wife, Lisa, will be played by the Scary Movie film series actress, Regina Hall. Anthony Mackie will be acting as King, a drug dealer and gang leader in their neighborhood. He also serves as one of the main antagonists in the story.
Several young actors and actresses will make their debut in the movie version of The Hate U Give, such as Algee Smith as Kahlil and Megan Lawless as Maya, Starr’s private school friend. Singer and actress Sabrina Carpenter will portray Hailey, Starr’s private school friend, and another antagonist in the story. Rapper and upcoming actor Common, will play Starr’s Uncle Carlos, a detective and upper class father-figure to the sixteen year-old.
Don’t wait until December to meet the Carter family on the big screen. You can read the novel now. Students can find copies in the Central High School Library, the Fountain City Library and even in some classroom libraries like Mrs. Turner’s in room 113.
The Bobcat Times 