King, 50, will direct and produce Bitter Root for Legendary Pictures, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The story, set during the Harlem Renaissance of 1924, follows a family with a long lineage of monster hunting who stands between saving humanity and a supernatural invasion.
The movie — based on Kemp Powers’ 2013 stage play of the same name — follows Cassius Clay on an evening spent with three of his friends, NFL star Jim Brown, singer Sam Cooke and Nation of Islam leader Malcolm X.
The project featured Viola Davis —alongside her husband Julius Tennon and daughter Genesis— and depicts a happy family enjoying a day together, then receiving a devastating phone call the following morning.
Her work on and off-screen over the years has garnered several awards including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and four Emmy awards.