Amazon MGM Studios has completed production on their latest theatrical drama ‘Sarah’s Oil,’ slated for release on December 25, 2025. Headlining the film about America’s youngest Black millionaire are Naya Desir-Johnson (‘The Equalizer’) and Zachary Levi (‘Harold and the Purple Crayon’). The cast also includes Sonequa Martin-Green (‘Star Trek: Discovery’), Garret Dillahunt (‘Raising Hope’), Bridget Regan (‘Jane the Virgin’), Kenric Green (‘The Walking Dead’), Adyan Copes (‘Who Is Christmas Eve?’), Stelio Savante (‘The Cleaning Lady’), and Mel Rodriguez (‘The Last Man on Earth’).
Inspired by Tonya Bolden’s book ‘Searching for Sarah Rector: The Richest Black Girl in America,’ ‘Sarah’s Oil’ recounts the remarkable true story of Sarah Rector, an African American girl born in the Oklahoma Indian Territory in the early 1900s. Sarah believed there was oil beneath the seemingly barren land she was allotted, and her faith was vindicated. As predatory oil speculators circled, Sarah relied on her family, friends, and a group of Texas wildcatters to protect her oil-rich land. By age eleven, she became one of the nation’s first female African American millionaires.
Directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh, who also co-wrote the script with Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh, the film boasts a powerhouse production team. Producers include John Shepherd, Derrick Williams, Kevin Downes, Andrew Erwin, Daryl Lefever, Jon Erwin, and Levi himself for Wyldwood Productions. Executive producers Russell Wilson and Ciara of Why Not You Productions join Sherry Kang, Tony Young, Katelyn Botsch, and Robert Scott Fort in bringing this inspiring story to the big screen.
Julie Rapaport, Head of Film, Production, and Development at Amazon MGM Studios, expressed her enthusiasm: “’Sarah’s Oil’ is a film that is truly a labor of love, and the talented teams at Kingdom Story Company, The Wonder Project, Wyldwood Productions, and Why Not You Productions have been incredible partners throughout production. We’re honored to take part in telling the inspiring true story of Sarah Rector, and we cannot wait for audiences to experience it on the big screen.”
Kevin Downes of Kingdom Story Company added, “From the moment I heard about this incredible, largely unknown story, I was captivated and knew I had to bring it to the big screen. Sarah’s journey is one of remarkable resilience. At Kingdom Story Company, we strive to tell stories that ignite a rush of hope. ‘Sarah’s Oil’ does just that.”
Zachary Levi, currently seen in theaters with Sony’s live-action children’s book adaptation ‘Harold and the Purple Crayon,’ recently wrapped on Joe Carnahan’s real-life survivor thriller ‘Not Without Hope’ and is set to star in ‘Hotel Tehran,’ a new thriller by Guy Moshe. Additionally, he will appear in the upcoming rock-climbing action-adventure ‘Free Fall’ for XYZ Films.
Naya Desir-Johnson, who began her career with appearances on CBS’s ‘The Equalizer’ and FX’s ‘Pose,’ made her feature film debut in A.V. Rockwell’s ‘A Thousand and One,’ which earned the Sundance Grand Jury Prize. Her next role is in Mirta Desir’s debut feature ‘Angie,’ where she plays the title role.
Cyrus Nowrasteh, best known for co-writing and directing ‘The Stoning of Soraya M.,’ a drama instrumental in bringing about a moratorium on stoning as a punishment in Iran, is at the helm of ‘Sarah’s Oil.’ His previous works include Focus Features’ ‘The Young Messiah’ and the indie thriller ‘Infidel.’
Mark your calendars for December 25, 2025, as ‘Sarah’s Oil’ hits theaters nationwide.