David Oyelowo's Directorial Debut 'The Water Man' is Heading to Netflix

David Oyelowo's directorial debut film The Water Man has reportedly been picked up by Netflix for worldwide distribution. This comes after the film premiered at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival and received critical praise. The film stars David Oyelowo, Rosario Dawson, Amiah Miller and Lonnie Chavis. Oyelowo claims the film is inspired by the historically popular sci-fi film E.T and that he in turn, wanted to create a supernatural film with Black leads.

Read: 'The Water Man,' David Oyelowo's Directorial Debut, Is In the Works

The Water Manfollows the story of a young Black boy, Gunner, whose mother is dying and seeks healing remedy for her. Gunner, together with a local friend, set off on an adventure to find a mythical figure called "The Water Man" whom they believe will be able to help. Oyelowo revealed in an interview with Variety that the story was created for his 12-year-old self who watched sci-fi and fantasy movies in which he was not represented.

"But the truth of the matter is I didn't see myself in those movies even though I related to those characters. So one of the amazing things for me is getting to make a film for a family that looks like mine, a boy who looks like I did and looks like my three sons get to be front and center."

The film has been called a family adventure as it follows Gunner go through strange events in a forest in order to save his mother. Oyelowo reportedly produced the project under his Yoruba/Saxon Productions banner. The film is also produced by Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Films and ShivHans Pictures. According to Deadline, RLJE Film will distribute the film in the U.S on the 7th of May and Netflix is expected to release the movie internationally in the latter part of 2021. Oyelowo has called the The Water Man a love letter to mothers everywhere.