Just weeks after Antoine Fuqua's latest hit The Equalizer opened in theaters, the filmmaker has been attached to direct the adaptation The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace.

The project is based on the book of the same name by Jeff Hobbs, which charts the true story of Robert Peace's journey from the hardened streets of Newark to the Ivy League school Yale. While the young African-American man excelled at molecular biochemistry and biophysics, his violent upbringing continued to follow him before his life ended tragically. The author was Robert Peace's college roommate and friend.

The book, which was published on September 23 by Scribner, created a significant amount of buzz, attracting the attention of several producers before IM Global acquired the rights. The adaptation will be the first in IM Global's recently-announced deal with Antoine Fuqua's production company, Fuqua Films.

Antoine Fuqua is also producing alongside Rebecca Hobbs and IM Global's Matt Jackson, with Stuart Ford serving as an executive producer.

Antoine Fuqua is currently in post-production on Southpaw starring Jake Gyllenhaal, and he is also prepping his Western remake The Magnificent Seven, which has Denzel Washington attached to star.