Hollywood's New Teenage Titan: Marsai Martin

14 year old Marsai Martin, who plays Diane on ABC's "Black-ish," has signed a first-look deal with Universal where she will develop scripted projects. The first Genius Productions film under the deal is the comedy “StepMonster,” in which Martin will star as a teenager adjusting to life with a new stepmother. Martin will develop scripted projects for Universal alongside Genius Productions co-founder Joshua Martin, VP Carol Martin, and head of creative Prince Baggett.

Martin began working as an actress at the age of five and received her first major recurring role as Diane Johnson on “Black-ish” in 2014, portraying the twin sister to Miles Brown’s Jack. Marsai is also the star and executive producer of the upcoming Universal comedy, "Little," about a woman who gets to relive her childhood when things get a little too stressful as a grown-up. Martin was literally 10 years old when she came up with the idea for the body swap comedy. In the words of producer Will Packer, “It’s crazy. I mean, what were we doing at 10 years old?”

"I am so excited for the magic I'll be able to create and produce with Universal," Martin said in a statement. "My goal is to show young women and girls that our voices and ideas matter and you are never too young to dream BIG!" Marsai is exactly what Hollywood needs a little Black Girl Magic.