Will Smith is reportedly teaming up with Sony Pictures to produce a film version of the graphic novel Harlem Hellfighters, according to industry blog Shadow and Act.
The novel, which is inspired by the true story of the all-African-American 369th Infantry Regiment, was written by Max Brooks, best known for his book World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, which was adapted into last year's blockbuster zombie horror movie starring Brad Pitt.
The 369th was the first African-American regiment that saw action in both World War I and World War II.
Shadow and Act notes that the graphic novel will chronicle the soldiers' journey from their enlistment in Harlem to training camp at Spartanburg, S.C., to heroic duty in the trenches in France, only to return home to the U.S. to face discrimination.
Although the novel won't be released until April 1, Shadow and Act notes that Smith's production company, Overbrook Entertainment, has already signed on for the big-screen adaptation, and there is no word yet whether Smith, 45, also plans to star in the new adaptation.
According to Shadow and Act, Smith already has a full plate, considering that he is attached to several films including Brilliance, Focus, Hancock 2 and Bad Boys 3.
Read more at Shadow and Act.