Viola Davis and Julius Tennon are expanding their genre slate.
The powerhouse duo behind JuVee Productions are developing an adaptation of the Afro-fantasy graphic novel The Untamed: A Sinner’s Prayer, partnering with Homeworld Entertainment and Stranger Comics to bring the indie revenge epic to the big screen.
Created by Sebastian A. Jones, The Untamed is set in the sprawling fantasy world of Asunda — a universe that blends medieval European influences with African history, mythology, and aesthetics. The story follows a mysterious figure known only as The Stranger, who returns to the lawless town of Oasis under a supernatural ultimatum: he has seven days to collect the souls of the seven individuals responsible for the murder of his wife and child — or face devastating consequences.
However, when he crosses paths with a young orphan named Niobe, his vengeance-driven mission begins to evolve into something more layered — and potentially redemptive.
Jones, who has independently built the Asunda universe over the past decade through Stranger Comics, will outline the screenplay and direct the adaptation. He will also produce alongside Davis, Tennon, Simon Swart, and Andrew Cosby.
While not a traditional comic shop staple, The Untamed has developed a dedicated fan base through direct-to-consumer engagement, including successful Kickstarter campaigns and a consistent presence at comic conventions. Since 2015, eight crowdfunding campaigns within the Asunda world have collectively raised more than $630,000, with the most recent campaign surpassing $100,000.
For Davis and Tennon, the adaptation marks a full-circle moment. In 2017, Davis wrote the foreword to Jones’ graphic novel Niobe: She Is Life, a story that further expanded the Asunda mythology and centered a fierce Black female protagonist.
In a statement, Davis and Tennon shared that when Jones first introduced them to the world of Asunda over a decade ago, they immediately recognized its global potential. They emphasized that audiences are ready for a hero like Niobe — a formidable Black woman at the center of an epic fantasy narrative.
The project continues JuVee Productions’ commitment to championing expansive storytelling that centers Black and inclusive narratives across genres. Davis, who is no stranger to comic adaptations thanks to her portrayal of Amanda Waller in DC projects including The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, now deepens her involvement in the genre space from the producing side.
As fantasy continues to evolve on screen, The Untamed represents a bold expansion of Afro-fantasy storytelling — one rooted in myth, revenge, redemption, and world-building that has been cultivated independently for years.
With Davis and Tennon helping shepherd Asunda to theaters, the indie comic universe may soon introduce a new mythology — and a new hero — to global audiences.