We just saw David Oyelowo in 2020's The Midnight Sky, starring opposite George Clooney and Felicity Jones. Oyelowo is now stepping behind the camera, to direct the family adventure The Water Man, reports ComingSoon.net. 

The story revolves around a young boy named Gunner (Lonnie Chavis), whose mother (Rosario Dawson) is terminally ill. He throws himself into his science books, looking for a cure. While he may not find an answer through Western medicine, he discovers a myth that may promise everlasting life.

Gunner and his friend Jo (Amiah Miller) travel to a mysterious forest, the home of The Water Man, in hopes of saving his mother.

The first look trailer helps fill in the blanks, where you'll spot Oyelowo on-screen as Gunner's father:

The kids are successful in finding the forest, but Gunner's father is not okay with them out there alone. He follows behind, saying, "I'm going to find them." Even if it turns out this creature of legend is in fact real, will he be willing to help Gunner?

Oyelowo elaborates on the story in a statement, saying, "The Water Man is a story about how far a heroic young boy will go to save his mother. It’s about sacrificial love, hope and overcoming adversity."

He goes on to talk about what drew him to the movie: "I grew up loving family films that have adventure, fantasy and jeopardy whilst never patronizing their young protagonists. As a father to four children, I want to share films with my kids that both entertain and equip them for the highs and lows that lie ahead. I relish watching films with them that both transport our family to a different world and then leave us having meaningful conversations. I love films that do that, so I set out to make one for them, other families and hopefully, the whole world!”

Reaching the whole world is quite ambitious, but we're cheering for Oyelowo!

You can look for The Water Man on May 7.

Is this going on your watch list?