In this Jan. 2, 2015 file photo, Ava DuVernay poses at the Palm Springs International Film Festival opening night screening of "Selma," at Palm Springs High School, in Palm Springs, Calif. (Photo by Rob Latour/Invision/AP, File)
By Lindsey Bahr, Film Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --
Ava DuVernay has been set to direct an adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's 1963 fantasy classic "A Wrinkle in Time" for Disney. A studio source confirmed the collaboration on Tuesday, but was not authorized to discuss the deal publicly and requested anonymity.
The Newbery Medal-winning book follows the interdimensional adventures of a young girl whose government scientist father goes missing under mysterious circumstances.
"A Wrinkle in Time" is expected to go into production later this year with a script from "Frozen" writer and co-director Jennifer Lee. Catherine Hand, who also produced the 2003 TV movie adaption of the book, is attached to produce alongside "8 Mile" producer James Whitaker.
DuVernay is best known for directing the civil rights drama "Selma," which was nominated for a best picture Oscar last year.
Cynthia Erivo attends the National Board of Review Awards gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
Cynthia Erivo, who is starring in the hit musical "Wicked," was named Tuesday as the 2025 Woman of the Year by Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatricals.
The theater group, which dates to 1844 and claims to be the world's third-oldest still operating, said Erivo will receive her Pudding Pot award at a celebratory roast Feb. 5. Afterward, she will attend a performance of Hasty Pudding Theatricals' 176th production, "101 Damnations." Actor Jon Hamm, who came to fame starring as ad executive Don Draper on the AMC series "Mad Men," is the 2025 Man of the Year. He will receive his Pudding Pot Jan. 31.
"We are holding space for Cynthia Erivo's arrival," Man and Woman of the Year Events Coordinator Hannah Frazer said in a statement. "We're sweeping out our broomstick closets and prepping some wicked smart humor as we eagerly await her in February. Before she flies off with her Pudding Pot, she'll have to work a little magic to earn it."
Along with starirng in the smash hit musical, the British entertainer is a two-time Oscar nominee and an Emmy Award, Tony Award and Grammy Award winner.
Erivo burst onto the scene with her brilliant performance in the Broadway revival of "The Color Purple." winning her the 2016 Tony for best actress in a musical. She performed songs from the play on the "Today" show, earning the Daytime Emmy for outstanding music performance in a daytime program. And the show's soundtrack won best musical theater album at the 2017 Grammys.
Last year, Erivo starred in and produced "Drift," which follows a young Liberian refugee who has escaped her war-torn country to a Greek island. In 2021, Erivo was nominated for an Emmy for her portrayal of Aretha Franklin in the National Geographic series "Genius:... Read More
