- Nigeria actor Lateef Adedimeji recently announced his upcoming epic film, Lisabi
- The actor had shared several photos depicting the cast on set of the film
- Netizens criticized the Nigerian movie industry of recycling same faces of casts and give no room for new act
Netizens have crticises the Yoruba Nollywood industry for its consistent use of prominent actors and not giving room for new talents to grow.
The criticism followed actor Lateef Adedimeji’s recent announcement of his upcoming epic film, Lasibi. The actor had shared the news via his socials alongside first-look photos from the set.
From the photos, the faces of popular Yoruba actors like Gabriel Afolayan, Femi Adebayo, Mr Macaroni and more were captured in their roles.
In a series of X (formerly Twitter) posts on August 22, netizens alleged that most filmmakers stuck to recycling the same actors while there are numerous young talents to explore.
The ongoing debate has lingered on with some in support of the Yoruba filmmakers, noting that as much as films are art, it is a business as well.
For some, popular filmmakers like Kunle Afolayan and Funke Akindele always try to incorporate new actors in their productions while many just recycle based on familiarity.
Adedimeji’s original Netflix movie Lisabi is set for release on September 27. It is directed by Niyi Akinmolayan.
Netizens criticise Nollywood filmmakers for not recruiting new talents
TheRadar curated some comments below:
@don_contra said, “since Kunle Afolayan and the Ibrahim Chatta built their respective film villages, there has been a constant stream of indigenous and historical film.I love it.”
@AbrahamAkomolaf said, “This criticism of Adedimeji's cast in comparison to Kunle Afolayan is from a myopic perspective. People make movies for profit. Big names sell movies, and if you are not a film maker like Kunle Afolayan or Funke whose name can be enough to sell a movie, you better use what works.”
@Pawlpat wrote, “Let's get things straight, Kunle Afolayan does cast his family members: siblings, aunt and kids in his movies. But we also get to see a lot of fresh and some kind of dynamic casting from him. An honorable mention is Funke Akindele, she's also doing well.”
@OkediranAdeyemi said, “I love seeing epic movies about our forgotten stories, but it’s always the same actors in every film. It’s starting to feel like a closed circle, like politicians. Filmmakers should take a cue from Kunle Afolayan & give fresh faces a chance—it's hard seeing the same ones every time.”
@Makanjuola26339 asked, “But why has the same cast in every movie since like almost 20 years now na this same set of faces we dey see for our screens?”
@Accoid said, “This is why I like Kunle Afolayan, he must debut at least 2 new theater arts students in all of his blockbusters.”
@Osetbaby said, “Nigerians turn the movie industry to friends and family business lmao. Same face every time.”
@thelavidaboy said, “If dem put new cast? You go watch am? They need familiar faces to sell in the market. The projects are not just by the way projects.”
Movie Review: Odunlade Adekola’s ‘Lakatabu’ is a mixed bag of improvements and shortcomings
Earlier, TheRadar reviewed that with yet another movie outing, legendary Nollywood actor, Odunlade Adekola, continues his pursuit of greatness in the movie industry.
He released Lakatabu (The Monster) to cinemas nationwide on June 21, 2024, after premiering it the week before. The movie, which has already raked in over N50 million at the box office, boasts of a star-studded cast, with popular actors such as Lateef Adedimeji, Adunni Ade, Ibrahim Chatta, Akin Lewis, Bolanle Ninalowo, Yomi Fash-Lanso and Adebayo Salami all featuring.
