Willow Smith is working on getting female-driven fantasy stories to TV and the big screen. The multi-hyphenate’s production shingle, MSFTS Production, is teaming up with Cartel Entertainment for two upcoming projects. They’ve “acquired the film rights to Alwyn Hamilton’s YA trilogy ‘Rebel of the Sands,’ and will also develop ‘Menencholy,’ an animated series based on Smith’s original book proposal,” Deadline writes. Both “Rebel of the Sands” and “Menencholy” center on young female protagonists who embark on epic, dangerous journeys.
While it’s yet to be confirmed, Smith may topline “Rebel of the Sands.” If she takes on the project’s lead role, she’ll play 17-year-old Amani, who flees her hometown and must travel “through the desert nation of Miraji, where mortals rule, but mythical beasts still roam the wild,” the source summarizes.
“Menencholy” follows Menen-Nin Khali, a young girl who has the ability to see into her past life. “She eventually finds herself at a mystical place called The Mystery School, where we follow her as she goes through a metamorphosis. In time Menen begins to accept the true power that lies within her and uses it to save herself and her town,” Deadline writes.
Smith commented, “The nonphysical, creative and, wild nature of a female heroine’s journey calls for a unique narrative structure that permeates the very foundation of the story. Enjoy the ride!”
“True Jackson, VP,” “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,” and “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl” are among Smith’s acting credits. The teen is also a singer and dancer. Her song “Whip My Hair” peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the music video for the breakout hit was nominated for Video of the Year at the BET Awards.
“Parents tell boys to go out and get dirty, climb trees, and make mud pies, while girls have to stay in and play with dolls. And often it’s not the girls’ choice,” Smith has observed. It seems safe to assume that she’ll continue to support projects with multidimensional female characters and use her platform to advocate for girls and women. “When you’re famous, you have more of a voice to change the world. And that’s all I could ever ask for,” she’s said.
