Lupita Nyong'o to star in adaptation of Trevor Noah's book 'Born a Crime'

Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Lupita Nyong'o has been cast in an upcoming film adaptation of Trevor Noah's bestselling autobiography, Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood.

Nyong'o, who can be seen in Marvel's Black Panther, will star in the film as Noah's mother Patricia who was influential in the Daily Show host's upbringing, Deadline reported. She was shot in the head by Noah's stepfather in 2009 but survived.

Noah and Nyong'o are both producing the project along with Norman Aladjem, Derek Van Pelt and Sanaz Yamin. Born a Crime, released in 2016, spent 26 weeks on the bestseller list.

"When I read @Trevornoah's Born A Crime, I could not put the book down. Excited to announce that I will be starring in and producing its feature film adaptation!" Nyong'o said on Twitter Wednesday alongside a photo of herself and Noah posing together.

"My mom is a powerful woman who could easily be one of the beautiful soldiers in Wakanda. So it's beyond a perfect fit that she would be portrayed on the big screen by the radiant and regal Lupita Nyong' o. I'm beyond excited," Noah said on Instagram in reference to the actresses's role on Black Panther and alongside the same image.

Born a Crime has no current release date or director attached.