American History X is one of those movies that, for a lot of people, is something of a cultural touchstone. I have friends who still bring it up all of the time, and if I’m honest, it’s probably because it’s an “important” movie about race that also manages to have that one crazy curb-stomp scene. The film’s director, Tony Kaye, hasn’t done much in the years since, but now he’s back and basically doing what sounds like his breakout film’s polar opposite: African History Y.
Deadline reports Kaye is developing African History Y, with Djimon Hounsou on board to star. Kaye wrote the script with Charles Chanchori and Jason Corder, but details have been limited to describing it as “a story of tragedy and redemption.”
“Djimon and I met just after I did ‘American History X,’” said Kaye. “It was a cathartic meeting, and I knew immediately that he was an actor that I had to work with. The material had to be right, and thank God, now we have a project to work together on. The color cameras inside my head are ready to go to work in Africa.”
Hounsou added, “‘African History Y’ could not have come at a better time as I explore bringing more extraordinary African stories to the world. I’m excited to be working with Tony, and it’s somewhat pre-ordained that he and I have come full circle to work with each other.”
This will be Kaye’s first feature since 2011’s Detachment, starring Adrian Brody. African History Y could turn out to be a big deal, but it’ll take a lot to have the same impact as American History X.
