The Nation Newspaper

Tag: John Boyega

  • Mo Abudu,Meghan Markle make UK 100 Black Powerlist

    Four Nigerians including media mogul, Mo Abudu, boxing champion Anthony Joshua, actor John Boyega joined Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex as new additions to the 2018 UK ‘100 Black Powerlist’.

    The 12-year old list, which was unveiled on Tuesday, annually features UK’s top 100 people of Black or Carribean heritage who use their positions to positively influence the love of others.

    News Agency of Nigeria reports that the list also features other black entertainers including actor, Idris Elba; and actresses Thandie Newton and Naomie Harris.

    The Powerlist is chosen from a list of nominees by a distinguished panel chaired by a former high court judge. The panel also includes a Queen’s counsel and leading professionals in business and the arts.

    Read Also: MFM, Olukoya file N2b libel suit against Sahara Reporters, others

    The nominees are judged based on how influential they are among their immediate sphere of expertise and how far that influence reaches into the wider world.

    Reacting to the honour, Abudu said, “The Powerlist is the most authoritative recognition of black influence in the UK. Therefore, I am honoured and humbled to be included.

    “It is nice to know that those of us who return home to make our contributions are not being overlooked.

    “This publication is sent to schools and universities all over the UK. So I hope that my story can influence even one child to follow their dreams,” Abudu said.

    NAN reports that Abudu was born in the UK and had a successful career in human resources management before she returned to Nigeria to begin, first a career in banking before veering into media entrepreneurship.

  • Lupita Nyong’o, John Boyega as next big conversation in Nollywood

    Hollywood actress, Lupita Nyong’o who was in Lagos for the proposed film adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s ‘Americanah’, and British-Nigerian actor, John Boyega’s N9billion film project to be shot in Lagos, are some of the events that made the cover of ‘Cinema in Lagos’, as the colourful magazine does more for the destination marketing of Lagos with these two African international actors.

    Edited by Olumide Iyanda who, in his Editor’s Note, quoted Ambode as saying that activities within the tourism sector contributed N800billion to the state’s GDP in 2017, ‘Cinema in Lagos’, according to Iyanda, is largely devoted to promoting the city as a desired film and tourism destination in the light of the immense contribution of Nollywood to the Lagos economy.

    Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde recalled that, just like the latest edition, the first edition of the magazine was unveiled in Cannes last year, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the festival and 50th anniversary of Lagos State.

    Ayorinde’s thoughts are captured in the magazine, of how Lagos Sate is flying the flag of Nigeria in the biggest festival in the world.

    He said: “The Lagos State Government sponsored a pavilion at the International Film Village, giving Nollywood yet another opportunity to showcase itself to the world. But for that singular gesture, Nigeria would have been totally absent from the very important world cinema event at a time when the industry needs all the exposure it can get on the international scene.”

    Other Nigerians at the festival include Mr. Dele Balogun, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board; Audio Visual Attaché of the French Embassy, Lagos, Yoann Talhouarne; Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas and notable On-Air-Personality, Fade Ogunro among others.

  • British-Nigerian actor John Boyega to shoot Nigerian movie

    His frequent visit to Nigeria may have showed his affinity for his root, but it became clearer when British-Nigerian actor, John Boyega expressed his interest in shooting a Nollywood movie, albeit a ‘low budget’ flick he estimated at N9billion.

    The ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ actor told CNBC Africa that he is interested in telling the Nigerian stories having reached a vantage position in the American movie industry.

    He spoke to Power Lunch West Africa host, Onyi Sunday during the promotion his new movie ‘Pacific Rim’, saying; “We’re developing a few Nigerian stories and choosing one which makes sense budget-wise. We’re probably looking at an indie budget of $20-$25 million dollars.”

    Many have been reacting to the supposedly low budget film proposal which, a budget which is a far cry from the average high budget Nigerian film till date.

    It is understandable, coming from Boyega’s exposure that N9billion is low budget, but if that happens, it would be a landmark featuring Hollywood and Nollywood stars.

    According to him, “It’s a chance for me to develop these stories, merge Hollywood with Nollywood, to bring the genuine and most important stories to light but captured in a very important and professional way.

    “I’ve been interested in Nigerian stories for a very very long time. It’s just that now I’ve worked to a point where I have the opportunity to do something.”

    The actor made Forbes’ 10th highest grossing actor of 2017 list after starring in more than six blockbusters that raked in millions of Dollars at the box office.

    There are indications the actor might want to work with Genevieve again after playing along her in ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’.

    He said: “I grew up on Nollywood. The first Nollywood film I ever watched was ‘Blood Sisters’ with Genevieve Nnaji.”

  • Hollywood John Boyega to invest in Nollywood

    Hollywood actor, John Boyega has expressed willingness to invest in Nollywood to further boost the movie sector.

    Boyega, 27, spoke with our correspondent on Thursday night on the sideline of Glenfidich circle of maverick’s business meeting organised by PlayNetwork Nigeria in collaboration with Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.

    The British-Nigerian born actor said he intends to spend some time in Nigeria to produce a movie based on and inspired by Nigerian lifestyle and heritage.

    “I intend to tour most parts of Nigeria for seven months to sort out few things and get inspiration for the movie.

    I am yet to find a writer to depict my idea of the movie; I’ll be staying a bit longer to find a writer”.

    The actor also revealed he has enjoyed his first official visit to Nigeria so far, insinuating this official visit will be the beginning of more collaboration with the entertainment industry in Nigeria.

    “There is a lot of potential in the industry here in Nigeria; I will be working closely from now to promote the industry to greater heights.

    “It’s a chance to merge Hollywood with Nollywood, to bring the genuine and most important stories to light but captured in a professional way”.

    The star wars superstar also stated the planned budget for the movie saying, “we are deciding what makes sense budget-wise; we’re probably looking at a budget of $20-$25 million dollars.”

    The “Whiskey Business Evening” with Boyega, witnessed a performance from a saxophonist as well as preparation of a Glenfidich infused chicken sauce made by chefs from Zuma grill.

    The actor is currently on a media tour to promote his latest Hollywood film, Pacific Rim Uprising.

    He spent last Christmas in Nigeria during an unofficial trip where he attended Wizkid’s concert that was held at Eko Hotel; Suites Lagos, and also took part in the Calabar Christmas carnival.

    NAN

  • How Boyega’s bodyguard humiliated me – Toke Makinwa

    How Boyega’s bodyguard humiliated me – Toke Makinwa

    Media personality and writer, Toke Makinwa has criticized a newly opened restaurant, Crossroads, for watching and doing nothing while she was bullied by the bodyguard of British-Nigerian actor John Boyega.

    In a post shared on her  Instagram page, Toke said she was assaulted and intimidated while she visited the restaurant on a drink date with her best friend.

    She wrote, “I cannot believe I stayed up this late to write this. I have an early flight to catch in the morning and I would normally just ignore it all but I thought about the number of women this can/might happen to and thought naaaaa, I’ll share it anyways. My experience at crossroads tonight was very interesting.

    “P.S it was the Wizkid show and not rhythm unplugged.”

    Here’s what she wrote:

    Swipe left.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BdgnsLuF2ju/?taken-by=tokemakinwa

  • British-Nigerian actor John Boyega shines at BAFTA

    British-Nigerian actor John Boyega shines at BAFTA

    •As Leonardo DiCaprio claims top spot

    British-nigerian actor, John Boyega, has won the EE Rising Star award at this year’s British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) which took place last Sunday.

    Boyega who played Ugwu, the houseboy in Half of a Yellow Sun, an adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie’s novel, got his first endorsement as a promising actor at the glamorous event which held at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom.

    The actor defeated co-nominees, Taron Egerton, Bel Powley, Brie Larson and Dakota Johnson to cling the EE Rising Star laurel, a category voted for by the public.

    Boyega, 23, got his award from his leading role in Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, beating more established actors, especially 50 Shades of Grey’s Dakota Johnson and Brie Larson, who was named Best Actress for her turn in Room.

    “First and foremost I want to thank God for this moment,” Boyega said, as he received his plaque on stage. “Guys, I haven’t been doing this for a long time, it’s a fluke! I’m gonna share this award with all the young dreamers who are determined, who are hard working, who are quite frankly amazing. This is also for you. Blessings for your path and God bless.”

    Wilderness drama, The Revenant, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, however dominated this year’s BAFTAs.

    It was named best film while DiCaprio won best actor and Alejandro G Inarritu best director.

    The Mexican director described the win as “overwhelming”. He said DiCaprio’s “talent and commitment” to the “risky project” had “kept the film breathing”.

    DiCaprio, who plays fur-trapper Hugh Glass, said he was “humbled and honoured” and praised the influence of British actors on his acting career. He also used his win to wish his mother a happy birthday.

    Apocalyptic action movie Mad Max: Fury Road took four awards: for make-up and hair, editing, costumes and production design.

    Brie Larson won the best leading actress award for her role as a kidnapped mother in Room.

    Director Lenny Abrahamson, who picked up the award on her behalf, called her “one of the best actors of her generation.”

    Both supporting acting prizes went to British winners.

    Steve Jobs star Kate Winslet was named best supporting actress, beating double nominee Alicia Vikander, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rooney Mara and fellow Brit Julie Walters.

    Picking up her statuette, Winslet praised her fellow nominees saying it had been “an extraordinary year for women”.

    She also gave thanks to the real Joanna Hoffman, Jobs’ loyal assistant, who she said was “so wonderful telling her stories to me”.

    Mark Rylance won best supporting actor for his role as British-born Soviet agent in Bridge of Spies.