Gina Prince-Bythewood is set to direct TriStar Pictures' `The Woman King,` starring Academy Award-winning actress Viola Davis.

The film is a historical epic inspired by true events that took place in The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. The story follows Nanisca (Davis), general of the all-female military unit, and her daughter Nawi, who together fought the French and neighboring tribes who violated their honor, enslaved their people and threatened to destroy everything they've lived for.

The pic is being produced by Cathy Schulman's Welle Entertainment, Davis and Julius Tennon of JuVee Productions and Maria Bello of Jack Blue Productions.

`We at JuVee are beyond excited to introduce this incredible story of the Women Warriors of The Dahomey Ahosi tribe to the world. It's time that they truly occupy their place in history and in Gina Prince-Bythewood's hands, it will be a gamechanger. This project could not be a more perfect example of our legacy,` said Davis and Tennon.

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The #OldGuard's helmer has found her next project. Gina Prince-Bythewood will direct @violadavis in #TheWomanKing, a period action drama inspired by true events that took place in the Kingdom of Dahomey. Head to link in bio for everything we know so far on the project. (📷:@gettyentertainment)

A post shared by Hollywood Reporter (@hollywoodreporter) on Jul 18, 2020 at 9:20am PDT

Prince-Bythewood has directed and written such influential films as `Love & Basketball,` `The Secret Life of Bees` and `Beyond the Lights.` Most recently, Prince-Bythewood directed the Netflix and Skydance's action-drama `The Old Guard,` with Charlize Theron and KiKi Layne leading the cast.