Sony has picked up the rights to The Harlem Hellfighters, an upcoming graphic novel from Max Brooks (World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, The Zombie Survival Guide).
Set for publication in April, The Harlem Hellfighters tells the story of the U.S. Army’s African American 369th infantry division, who fought with distinction across Europe during the First World War, only to face discrimination upon their return to home soil.
The adaptation will be produced by Caleeb Pinkett and James Lassiter on behalf of Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment, with Brooks writing the script. Here’s the book synopsis:
“THE HARLEM HELLFIGHTERS is a fictionalized account of the 369th Infantry Regiment—the first African American regiment mustered to fight in World War I. From the enlistment lines in Harlem to the training camp at Spartanburg, South Carolina, to the trenches in France, bestselling author Max Brooks tells the thrilling story of the heroic journey that these soldiers undertook for a chance to fight for America. Despite extraordinary struggles and discrimination, the 369th became one of the most successful—and least celebrated—regiments of the war. The Harlem Hellfighters, as their enemies named them, spent longer than any other American unit in combat and displayed extraordinary valor on the battlefield. Based on true events and featuring artwork from acclaimed illustrator Caanan White, these pages deliver an action-packed and powerful story of courage, honor, and heart.”
Originally published March 8, 2014. Updated April 11, 2018.
