Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, and Eugene Lee Yang will voice characters in Nimona, a film adaptation of ND Stevenson’s graphic novel, Deadline reports.
The project is a kind of resurrection. A film adaptation of the book had been in the works at Blue Sky Studios, but was shut down after the studio closed last year.
The new adaptation, which will air on Netflix, will be directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, the team behind the 2019 film Spies in Disguise.
Stevenson’s young adult novel, published in 2015 by HarperTeen, tells the story of Nimona, a shapeshifting girl who serves as the sidekick to Ballister Blackheart, a villain who’s determined to bring down their land’s Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics. In a starred review, a critic for Kirkus wrote of the book, which was a finalist for the National Book Award, “If you’re going to read one graphic novel this year, make it this one.”
According to The Wrap, Moretz (Hugo) and Ahmed (Sound of Metal) play Nimona and Ballister, respectively, while Yang, a member of YouTube stars The Try Guys, plays Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin, the institution’s champion knight.
Stevenson announced the new adaptation on Twitter, writing, “Nimona’s always been a spunky little story that just wouldn’t stop. She’s a fighter…but she’s also got some really awesome people fighting for her.”
Nimona’s always been a spunky little story that just wouldn’t stop. She’s a fighter…but she’s also got some really awesome people fighting for her. I am excited out of my mind to announce that THE NIMONA MOVIE IS ALIVE…coming at you in 2023 from Annapurna and Netflix ???? pic.twitter.com/wEZuM2sXTt
— ND Stevenson (@Gingerhazing) April 11, 2022
Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.