Global video streaming platform, Netflix has announced plans for the long-expected Nollywood originals in coming months. This follows the launch of its Nigeria subsidiary, Netflix Naija, in February. It revealed in a tweet that the outcome would be book adaptations of the works of two indegenous novelists.
📣We’ve got MAJOR news for you today! Netflix has partnered with acclaimed producer @MoAbudu to bring you two of Nigeria’s most beloved literary classics to screens around the world! 📚🎥 pic.twitter.com/3zAE4zAndH
— Netflix Nigeria (@NetflixNaija) June 12, 2020
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives, Titilola Shoneyin's debut novel published in 2010 will be produced in form of a series, while Wole Soyinka's 77-paged play, Death and the King's Horseman is to be converted to a movie.
As revealed in the statement, Netflix looks to partner with Mosunmola Abudu (Mo Abudu), media personality and founder of EbonyLife TV, to produce these classics. The partnership is also expected to bring to life two new originals, a series and other licensed movies. Recall that Mo Abudu produced The Wedding Party (2016), Nigeria's highest grossing movie.
Wait...there’s more! @MoAbudu and her @EbonyLife_TV will produce two new Nigerian Originals plus licensed films AND a series for Netflix!
This na Naija!! 🎉
— Netflix Nigeria (@NetflixNaija) June 12, 2020
Sometime in March, Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer, Netflix, and the Netflix creatives team were at some locations in Nigeria with Nollywood veteran actors and actresses in preparation for production.
At that time, it wasn't clear what exactly is to be expected. But now, it seems the anticipation has heightened given the feedback following this announcement.
On a good note, it is expected that the challenges that plague movie production in Nigeria like poor scriptwriting, funding, promotion and publicity (post-production) are sorted out already with the current arrangement.
Also considering the advantage of production speed -- an average Nollywood movie reportedly takes 7 to 10 days to produce -- these Nigerian originals may soon be gracing the screens.
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On the other hand, if it should be high quality with an equally high budget -- like The Wedding Party -- it may take up to 5 months.
For now, it is unverified what form the content production process of each project will take when it comes to spacing, whether simultaneously or consecutively.
Perhaps, the latter will be possible if new talents are introduced into the cast. From reactions, it was noticed that some people discouraged recycling actors and actresses already seen in most Nigerian movies featured on Netflix, while requesting for new faces.
If NBC's proposed shake-up on Pay TV and video-on-demand (VoD) platforms is nothing to worry about, Netflix's investment in Nollywood appears to be taking a good shape. Another six to 12 months will leave viewers with more than five Nollywood originals, that means more Nollywood representation on the platform.
Featured image by Netflix Naija on Twitter
