iStock

The blockbuster success of Black Panther, set in the fictional African country of Wakanda, must have shown Hollywood executives something.


For the first time in its history, Disney is letting an African princess take the lead. The studio will be adding another shot of black girl magic to its existing pantheon of princesses with a new project now in development. As Variety reports, however, this won’t be an animated vision of royalty, but a live-action fairytale.

The film, Sadé will center on an African princess “whose kingdom is threatened by a mysterious evil force and accepts her newly discovered magical powers to protect her people, with the help of the kingdom’s prince,” writes the trade magazine.


Disney bought the pitch, which Fortune reports is an original concept, from Ola Shokunbi and Lindsey Reed Palmer, who will cowrite the script. Rick Famuyiwa, who’s directed Dope, The Wood and Brown Sugar, has signed on to produce the flick.

Now it’s time for our favorite part: Furiously speculating which melanated beauty will be bringing her magic gifts to the screen. Will Disney tap an African actress, or someone from the diaspora? Someone established, or a new face? And who will direct the project? Can Shuri make a guest appearance?

The possibilities, for now, are as delicious as they are endless.