Dustin Gebel
Confluential Films announced that it has secured the rights for David Crownson’s upcoming graphic novel, Killer Bee. The book, which will be published through Kingwood Comics, follows a retiring assassin fighting against the underworld after being tasked to kill her new lover. A full team has been assembled for the feature film, which includes financier/producer Tommy Oliver (founder of Confluential FIlms), writing duo Kevin Arbouet and Terry Rossio, and actor DeWanda Wise, who will play the titular role.
Oliver spoke about the appeal of the project, stating:
“With DeWanda, the writing team of Terry and Kevin, and kick-ass source material, we have the ingredients for something very cool, that we are excitedly fast-tracking”
The full press release can be read below:
February 5, 2025 (Los Angeles, CA) – Tommy Oliver’s Confluential Films, the award-winning, Black-owned and Black-founded film, television, and documentary production company, and financier, has acquired the rights to Killer Bee, the next graphic novel from David Crownson (Harriet Tubman: Demon Slayer) and Kingwood Comics. Confluential will co-finance, the multi-hyphenate Tommy Oliver will produce, and DeWanda Wise (Jurassic World Dominion) will star in the action film.
The script will be penned by the dynamic writing duo Kevin Arbouet and Terry Rossio. Rossio, a veteran in blockbuster screenwriting, is known for such mega-hits as Pirates of the Caribbean, Godzilla vs. Kong, and Shrek. Arbouet recently garnered attention for his work on the Audible true-crime series MOVE: The Untold Story of an American Tragedy.
Said Tommy Oliver, “With DeWanda, the writing team of Terry and Kevin, and kick-ass source material, we have the ingredients for something very cool, that we are excitedly fast-tracking”
In Killer Bee, Wise will portray a retiring assassin who takes on an underground criminal network after being tasked to kill the man she’s recently fallen in love with. The project marks another bold move for Wise, who has solidified her reputation as a versatile actress unafraid to tackle complex roles across genres.
Confluential Films is quickly becoming a powerhouse in independent cinema, with a focus on diverse, groundbreaking stories. The company’s recent slate includes the 2024 Emmy-winning, and Sundance Grand Jury-winning Going To Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project (HBO); Fancy Dance, starring Lily Gladstone (Apple TV+); and AFI Fest-winning Juice Wrld: Into The Abyss documentary (HBO). Confluential Films also recently launched a horror genre label, New Fear Unlocked Productions, with its film Goons starring Michael Rainey Jr. and Chloe Bailey recently wrapping production.
Joining as executive producers are Wise, Crownson, and Jack Coburn, along with Sean Mik’ael Butler and Patrick Strøm of Cultivate Entertainment Partners. Cultivate, with a history of bringing a strategic lens to creative development, brought the material to Confluential and worked alongside them to build the package.
About Confluential
Founded by Tommy Oliver, Confluential develops, produces, and finances across film, TV (scripted and unscripted), and documentaries. A few of their past projects include 2024 Emmy-winning, 2023 Oscar Shortlisted, and Sundance Grand Jury Winner “Going To Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project” (HBO); “Fancy Dance,” starring Lily Gladstone (Apple TV+); “The Perfect Find,” starring Gabrielle Union, Keith Powers, and Gina Torres, (Netflix); “Young. Wild. Free.” starring Algee Smith and Sanaa Lathan (BET+); “Die Like A Man,” starring Cory Hardrict; AFI Audience Award-winner “Juice WRLD: Into the Abyss (HBO)”; the critically acclaimed HBO Documentary “40 Years A Prisoner”; as well as the ground-breaking docuseries “Black Love”; Sony thriller “The Perfect Guy, which opened No. 1 at the U.S. box office; award-winning indie films “1982” (TIFF), “Jinn” (SXSW), and “Kinyarwanda” (Sundance); and the upcoming “Hamlet” starring Riz Ahmed. (www.confluentialfilms.com)
Wise is represented by M88 and CAA. Rossio is repped by Lumify Entertainment and UTA. Arbouet is represented by Cultivate Entertainment Partners, Kaplan-Stahler Agency, and Miloknay Weiner. Crownson is repped by Cultivate Entertainment Partners and Miloknay Weiner.
