Director Jennifer Yuh Nelson, who helmed the last two Kung Fu Panda movies, is making her live-action debut with an equally high concept idea. It’s called Darkest Minds, based on a series of books by Alexandra Bracken, and it’s sort a mash-up of X-Men and The Walking Dead.
Director Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Jack Black promoting Kung Fu Panda 3 in South Korea. Image: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
Darkest Minds is about a disease that kills almost all of the children in America. Some of the survivors develop special powers and they’re taken away to be studied. The kids don’t like that much, so they begin to rebel against the government.
Fox has the movie rights to the franchise, which is obviously what they’re hoping for. And while the concept certainly has a ton of potential and familiar notes, it’s Yuh Nelson directing a live-action Hollywood blockbuster that’s the best news. More ladies bringing their perspective to blockbuster cinema, please!