Disney Releases Sneak Peek Of Lupita Nyong’o in ‘The Queen of Katwe’

About a year and a half ago, it was announced that Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo had both secured roles in the Disney film The Queen of Katwe, which depicts the story of a young Ugandan chess player, Phiona Mutsei, played by newcomer Madina Nalwanga, who rises from modest circumstances to the heights of international success as she pursues her dreams of being an undefeated champion.

The ambitious project, being helmed by Mira Nair – the woman who gave us Mississippi Masala and Monsoon Wedding – is based on an article that appeared in the magazine version of ESPN, which was taken from the book by Tim Crothers.

Disney just revealed an image showcasing Nyong’o and Nalwanga in what appears to be an emotional scene between mother and daughter.

Oyelowo plays the missionary who teaches chess to the village kids. It’s safe to say that his influence most likely propels the destiny of Phiona and those closest to her.

Nyong’o was quite vocal during filming about how ecstatic she was to be filming in Uganda – which is just a stone’s throw from her native Kenya in East Africa.

She expressed this sentiment while attending the D23 Expo in August 2015.

“It was so great to go back home. I’m from East Africa. I’m from Kenya, which is just next door to Uganda”.

She also went on to express why capturing the essence of the designated location where the story takes place impacted her greatly.

“This is a story about the commitment to a dream even in the most discouraging of situations. The slum of Katwe is a very difficult place to live, but you see these people living there with dignity and making it day by day. And so to go there and to have that environment to work from really did sober us and enliven us”.

Sounds like an experience that will hopefully translate when The Queen of Katwe hits the theaters this fall.