Bitter Root: Regina King to direct monster hunting comic book adaptation

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Oscar-winning actress turned director, Regina King, has found her next directorial gig after dazzling critics with her first directorial effort, One Night in Miami…King has officially signed to helm Legendary's film adaptation of Bitter Root, based on Image Comics' comic book series.

Bitter Root is described as "Get Out meets Blade" and centers around a monster-hunting family in the 1920s Harlem Renaissance. In addition to directing, King will also serve as a producer on the project through her Royal Ties banner along with Black Panther director Ryan Coogler who will assist via Proximity Media.

Created by David F. Walker, Sanford Greene, and Chuck Brown, "Bitter Root" was first published in 2018 with a story set during the vibrant Harlem Renaissance of 1924 when a fractured family of once-great-monster hunters faces an unimaginable evil that descends upon New York City. For generations, the Sangeryes have hunted and cured those infected by a supernatural force that feeds of the prejudice of the era, transforming human beings into vicious monsters. With most of the family dead and the surviving Sangeryes at odds between saving or killing the creatures, they must overcome the wounds of the past in the hopes of thwarting an invasion. Legendary has had this project in development since 2018 when Bitter Root first hit the comic book scene and Bryan Edward Hill is currently rewriting the script.

This will be quite a directorial shift for Regina King, making me, even more, intrigued that she is taking this on. King's first directorial effort, One Night in Miami…earned her critical acclaim, including a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director. King is no stranger to comic book adaptations as she previously starred in HBO's Watchmen series which resulted in her winning her fourth Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series. Regina King is also an Academy Award winner for her turn in If Beale Street Could Talk, taking home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. King will next be seen in Netflix's western film The Harder They Fall starring opposite Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, and LaKeith Stanfield.

What are YOUR thoughts on Regina King taking on Bitter Root?