Will Packer, Kerry Washington to Produce Film Adaptation of 'City of Saints & Thieves'

Natalie C. Anderson's bestselling debut novel "City of Saints & Thieves" has been optioned by Universal Pictures. Anderson's novel is a murder mystery set in Kenya, and on Amazon, it has been compared to "Gone Girl" and "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo."

According to Deadline, "Will Packer's Will Packer Productions and Kerry Washington's Simpson Street production company are in negotiations to produce." James Lopez, Packer's Head of Motion Pictures, will also produce the upcoming film based on Anderson's book.

Melina Matsoukas, the executive producer and director of the HBO series "Insecure," is currently being eyed as the director for "City of Saints & Thieves." Matsoukas also directed Beyonce's "Formation" and "Pretty Hurts" music videos, along with a contribution to "Lemonade."

Natalie C. Anderson's book is about Tina, "a girl who has been living on the streets of Kenya since her mother's murder." Tina is eventually "recruited by a gang of orphans and street kids," and as she gets "closer to exacting revenge for her mother's death," Tina soon realizes that what she knows about her mother's murder and the truth don't all add up.

Roland Greyhill offeresTina's mother a job as a maid in his household and Greyhill is allegedly one of the city's "most respected business leaders." However, Tina eventually finds out that his wealth came from "a life of corruption and crime," per Shadow and Act.

Washington, the star of "Scandal," has also previously been involved in a book-to-film adaptation. The actress will soon star in an upcoming movie called "The Perfect Mother," which will be based on the thriller novel of the same name writer by Aimee Molloy. "The Perfect Mother" will be produced by Amy Pascal.

There has been no updates yet on casting for "The City of Saints & Thieves" yet, but the studio reportedly wants to get the film in development as soon as possible. The novel the film will be based on was published just last Jan. 24.