EXCLUSIVE: Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society has come aboard to produce the adaptation of Moses Ose Utomi's The Lies of the Ajungo, the first book of the highly acclaimed epic fantasy series known as The Forever Desert.

The book takes place in the drought-stricken City of Lies, where citizens have their tongues cut out at the age of thirteen, to appease the terrifying Ajungo Empire and ensure it continues sending water. The protagonist is Tutu, a boy who, when his mother collapses from dehydration is forced to venture out into an endless desert in search of water for her and the entire city.

Fans of the book have called the book "beautiful, but gut wrenching," a descriptor Jordan agrees was his main inspiration behind seeking film rights.
"There are so many twists and turns, I really couldn't put it down," said the Creed 3 star. "It's definitely up there with Narotu for being one of my favorite stories."
Other film projects on Outlier Society’s upcoming slate include Amazon Studios’ adaptation of Akwaeke Emezi’s anticipated novel You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty; Static Shock, a live-action adaptation of DC Comics’ groundbreaking series, being penned by Randy McKinnon and with Reginald Hudlin also producing alongside Outlier; and MGM’s The Thomas Crown Affair, being written by Wes Tooke. In the TV space, Outlier’s upcoming projects include Amazon Studios’ Victories Greater Than Death and the Muhammad Ali series The Greatest.