Sanaa Lathan and Steve Toussaint are set to headline A Blue Butterfly, the upcoming psychological drama from acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker C.J. “Fiery” Obasi.
The film centers on Sentwali, a man emotionally paralyzed by a violent past who lives a deliberately isolated life as a limousine driver. His only meaningful human connection is Joseph, an elderly Holocaust survivor who rides in his car and understands the enduring weight of trauma. When Sentwali encounters Emily, a charismatic actress who refuses to accept his emotional distance, the fragile possibility of redemption begins to surface.
At its core, A Blue Butterfly will explore survivor’s guilt, the search for redemption, and the painful question of whether true self-forgiveness is ever possible.
Toussaint — who will also serve as screenwriter — leads the film alongside Lathan. The British actor is widely recognized for his role in House of the Dragon and Marvel’s Eyes of Wakanda, with additional credits including Steve McQueen’s Small Axe. Lathan, whose filmography spans Love & Basketball, The Best Man franchise, Alien vs. Predator, Nappily Ever After, and HBO’s Succession, continues to balance prestige television with character-driven film work.
The project marks another significant international move for Obasi, whose third feature Mami Wata premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, winning the Special Jury Prize in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. The film was later selected as Nigeria’s submission for the Academy Award for Best International Feature.
Production on A Blue Butterfly begins in early March 2026, with filming scheduled for London and Kigali, Rwanda. The film is produced by Stella Nwimo — whose recent credits include Olive Nwosu’s Sundance title Lady — and co-produced by Rebecca Long under their UK-based banner Boudica Entertainment. The company’s previous projects include The Falling, Nuclear, Forget Me Not, and The Sea.
Producers are expected to introduce the project to buyers and sales agents at the European Film Market during the Berlinale.
Obasi is also currently developing La Pyramide, described as a cross-continental voyage and previously presented at the Red Sea Souk Work-in-Progress market.
With its international scope and emotionally layered premise, A Blue Butterfly positions itself as a character-driven exploration of trauma that bridges continents — both geographically and psychologically.