While Marvel movies, feature films based on theme park rides, and live action fairy tales keep the lights on at Disney, the studio is still making a little bit of room for projects that aren’t based on pre-existing brands or have extensive licensed product marketing tie-ins. And one movie that strays from the tentpole path is the upcoming “Queen Of Katwe,” which trades in special effects magic for chess.
Directed by Mira Nair (“Monsoon Wedding,” “Vanity Fair,” “The Namesake“), starring Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo, and based on the book by Tim Crothers, the film tells the true story of Phiona Mutesi, a Ugandan chess prodigy whose skill sees her ascend to the upper echelons of ranked players around the world. And it was all made possible thanks to the help of a missionary, whose started a chess program in Mutesi’s town.
“Queen Of Katwe” will open on September 23rd. Watch the trailer above.
