Amandla Stenberg to Star in Film that Tackles Police Brutality and #BlackLivesMatter

Amandla Stenberg will star in the film version of the upcoming novel "The Hate U Give," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The film rights to Angela Thomas' debut novel were acquired this week after a bidding war.

This is not the first such situation for Thomas. 13 publishing houses competed to publish the book. She ended up inking a two-book deal with HarperCollins imprint Balzer + Bray reportedly worth six figures.

The novel was inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. According to the official synopsis for the book, it is centered around 16-year-old, Starr, who navigates between her poverty-stricken home and a suburban prep school. Starr's life changes when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her best friend by a police officer.

Stenberg, who has been vocal about social justice, seems a perfect fit for the role.

There is no word on when the film will shoot or be released. The novel is set to debut spring 2017.

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