Lupita Nyong'o, Oyelowo, to star in Mira Nair's film

Los Angeles: Hollywood stars Lupita Nyong'o and Daivd Oyelowo are in talks to star in Disney's upcoming film 'Queen of Katwe', to be directed by Indian filmmaker Mira Nair.

The film's story centres on a young girl from the slums of Uganda who, with the help of her coach, becomes a chess prodigy, said The Hollywood Reporter.

Nair will direct the film from a script by William Wheeler, who also penned the screenplay for 'Monsoon Wedding' and the director's previous film, 'The Reluctant Fundamentalist'.

The story is based on an ESPN Magazine article and the 2012 book 'The Queen of Katwe: A Story of Life, Chess', and 'One Extraordinary Girl's Dream of Becoming a Grandmaster', both by Tim Crothers.

Oyelowo, who is traveling the awards circuit this season with his lead role as Martin Luther King Jr in Paramount's 'Selma', would play the coach, Robert Katende. Oscar-winner Nyong'o would take on the role of the child's mother, Harriet Mutesi. John Carls and Lydia Dean Pilcher will produce along with ESPN Films.