By Ijeoma Ilekanachi
Nigerian film maker, Bolanle Austen-Peters has announced Jide Kosoko, Dele Odule and Adebayo Salami as the new cast for the Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’s biopic.
In a video on her Instagram page, the film maker praised the veteran actors for their impressive work on the set of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’s biopic. She also expressed excitement as she revealed the actors as the new additions to the film.
“So I had Nigeria’s Al Pacino, Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro in my newest movie. Messers Jide Kosoko, Dele Odule and Adebayo Salami. The trio were phenomenal. We came prepared. When God has a plan. He brings three of the biggest of Nollywood to your team,” the film director wrote.
“I had cast other actors in the same key roles but time and coordination didn’t permit them so we had to rejig and voila! these three GIANTS of Nigerian moviedom just happened to be available. They made us laugh, cry and we truly made history come alive.
READ ALSO: Actress Kehinde Bankole to play young Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti in new biopic
‘‘Extremely professional and respectful of their craft and respectful of my craft. What an honour Sirs. The wealth of experience and knowledge was incredible. I am truly honoured. We made our culture come alive so beautifully, so regal and so elegant. Thousands of years of civilisation was brought to the screen,” she added.
The production boss also praised veteran actress and the film’s lead actress Joke Silva, for performing all her stunts without requiring any help.
“Then of course Sis Joke Jacobs! Hmmm. She did all her stunts herself at 60? I couldn’t do what I asked her to do. Respect her commitment to her craft. She nailed it. Never complained once. All smiles and zoning into her character without distractions,”
Bolanle Austen-Peters had earlier announced her plans to make a Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti biopic titled ‘Funmilayo: The Lioness of Lisabi’. The film will chronicle the inspiring life of the political leader, human rights activist, and mother of the renowned Fela Kuti.
Other cast of the biopic include; Kehinde Bankole, Keppy Ekpeyong, Omowunmi Dada, Bikiya Graham-Douglas, Ibrahim Suleiman, Adunni Ade, Patrick Diabuah, and Shawn Faqua. The biopic is expected to be released in the year 2022.
