EXCLUSIVE: Zachary Levi (Hotel Tehran) and Naya Desir-Johnson (The Equalizer) will topline Sarah’s Oil, a new theatrical drama from Amazon MGM Studios, which has wrapped production.
Others in the cast include Sonequa Martin-Green (Star Trek: Discovery), Garret Dillahunt (Raising Hope), Bridget Regan (Jane the Virgin), Kenric Green (The Walking Dead), Adyan Copes (Who Is Christmas Eve?), Stelio Savante (The Cleaning Lady) and Mel Rodriguez (The Last Man on Earth).
Inspired by Tonya Bolden’s book Searching for Sarah Rector: The Richest Black Girl in America, Sarah’s Oil tells the true story of Sarah Rector, an African American girl born in Oklahoma Indian Territory in the early 1900s, who believes there is oil beneath the barren land she’s allotted and whose faith is proven right. As greedy oil sharks close in, Sarah turns to her family, friends, and some Texas wildcatters to maintain control of her oil-rich land, eventually becoming one of the nation’s first female African American millionaires — at eleven years old.
Cyrus Nowrasteh directed from his script written with Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh. Producers include John Shepherd, Cyrus Nowrasteh, Derrick Williams, Kingdom Story Company’s Kevin Downes, Andrew Erwin, and Daryl Lefever, The Wonder Project’s Jon Erwin, and Levi for Wyldwood Productions. Why Not You Productions’ Russell Wilson and Ciara are exec producing alongside Wyldwood’s Sherry Kang, Kingdom Story Company’s Tony Young and Katelyn Botsch, and Robert Scott Fort. The film will be released in theaters on December 25, 2025.
“Sarah’s Oil is a film that is truly a labor of love, and the talented teams at Kingdom Story Company, The Wonder Project, Wyldwood Productions, and Why Not You Productions have been incredible partners throughout production,” said Julie Rapaport, Head of Film, Production and Development at Amazon MGM Studios. “We’re honored to take part in telling the inspiring true story of Sarah Rector, and we cannot wait for audiences to experience it on the big screen.”
Stated Downes of Kingdom Story Company, “From the moment I heard about this incredible, largely unknown story, I was captivated and knew I had to bring it to the big screen. Sarah’s journey is one of remarkable resilience. At Kingdom Story Company, we strive to tell stories that ignite a rush of hope. Sarah’s Oil does just that.”
Currently in theaters with Sony’s live-action children’s book adaptation Harold and the Purple Crayon, Levi recently wrapped on Joe Carnahan’s real-life survivor thriller Not Without Hope and is also set to star in Hotel Tehran, a new thriller from writer-director Guy Moshe. Also coming up for him is Free Fall, a rock-climbing action-adventure pic for XYZ Films.
Beginning her career with appearances on CBS’s The Equalizer and FX’s Pose, Desir-Johnson made her feature film debut in A.V. Rockwell’s A Thousand and One, which earned the Sundance Grand Jury Prize. Next up for her is Mirta Desir’s debut feature Angie, where she plays the title role.
Cyrus Nowrasteh is best known for co-writing and directing The Stoning of Soraya M., a drama released by Roadside Attractions in 2009 which, despite being condemned and banned by Iranian President Ahmadinejad, became an underground hit in Iran and was instrumental in bringing about a moratorium on stoning as a punishment in the country. His other films include Focus Features’ The Young Messiah and the indie thriller Infidel.
Levi is repped by UTA, Untitled Entertainment, and McKuin Frankel Whitehead; Desir-Johnson by Stewart Talent; Martin-Green by Independent Artist Group, Principal Entertainment LA, and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole; Dillahunt by IAG and D2 Management; Regan by Verve, Gasparro Management, and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman; Green by IAG and Aligned Entertainnent; Copes by Stewart Talent and CP Talent Management; and Rodriguez by UTA and Abrams Entertainment.
Cyrus and Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh are with The Vendetta Group.
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