‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ Star KiKi Layne Is ‘Actively Plotting’ to Play X-Men’s Storm

KiKi Layne is on a roll.

Not only has she received rave reviews with her feature film debut in “If Beale Street Could Talk,” but she’s following up the Barry Jenkins-directed movie with a big-screen adaptation of “Native Son.” Directed by Rashid Johnson from a screenplay by Suzan-Lori Parks, “Native Son” will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 24.

Related stories

Regina King Praised by 'If Beale Street Could Talk' Co-Stars for New 50/50 Initiative

Fresh Faces Light Up Awards Season Acting Races

'Bohemian Rhapsody' DP Newton Thomas Sigel's Work Spans 'X-Men,' Indie Films and Documentaries

“I’m just feeling thankful that right out of the gate, I get to let audiences know that this is the type of work that really matters to me, and that I recognize that I have the ability to say something with my art, with the projects I choose,” Layne told Variety on Sunday at the Critics’ Choice Awards.

That’s not to say that she’s only interested in indie films. In fact, she’s got a particular superhero she wants to tackle — X-Men’s Storm.

“She was an image of myself, of a powerful chocolate black woman, and I just think that’s an amazing image to have and I really want to play Storm,” Layne said.

And yes, her agents and managers are on it. “Oh, yeah,” Layne said. “We are actively plotting, actively plotting.”

Halle Berry famously played Storm in the first four “X-Men” movies, while Alexandra Shipp took on the role for 2016’s “X-Men: Apocalypse,” as well as in the upcoming “Dark Phoenix,” set to hit theaters on June 7.

Subscribe to Variety Newsletters and Email Alerts!