John Boyega to Lead and Produce TV Prequel Series for “The Book of Eli”

In an exciting development, John Boyega is set to take the lead role and serve as an executive producer for “The Book of Eli,” a television prequel series based on the 2010 post-apocalyptic action drama of the same name.

According to Deadline, Boyega will portray a younger version of Denzel Washington’s iconic character, and Gary Whitta, the original film’s screenplay writer, is creating the series. Whitta will also be responsible for writing and executive producing the show.

The 2010 movie tells the story of Eli, a nomad tasked with delivering a mysterious book across a post-apocalyptic America. Directed by the Hughes brothers, the film features a cast including Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis, Ray Stevenson, Jennifer Beals, and Michael Gambon. While it achieved modest box office success, earning $157 million against an $80 million budget, reviews were mixed, with many critics lauding Washington’s performance.

According to Deadline’s report, the TV series will be set 30 years before the events of the film, placing it around the time of the nuclear event or shortly after. The series is expected to be pitched to streaming platforms later this year, though no additional details have been disclosed.

John Boyega, renowned for his role as Finn in the Star Wars franchise, has also earned a Golden Globe for his performance in Steve McQueen’s anthology series, “Small Axe.” In addition to his upcoming role in “The Book of Eli” prequel, Boyega has been featured in notable projects like “The Woman King,” “Breaking,” and Netflix’s “They Cloned Tyrone.”