British-Nigerian actor speaks on possibility of a Nollywood-Hollywood collaboration

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April 9, 2018 11:38 AM

John Boyega is keen on exploring the possibilities of Nollywood and Hollywood working together.

In March 2012, John Boyega was cast as

For Boyega, the role did not only expose him to the Nigerian market, it exposed him to filmmaking in Nigeria.

"It quenched my curiosity. When it comes to films in Nigeria, I'm seeing part 1 - 7. They come out so quickly and sometimes the sound can be a bit troubling, but it's such great attention and story there that keeps me entertained. I would keep on watching part 1, 7, 8 [because] I wanna know if she was the one that poisoned the man from church," he told Seyi Babatope during the Accelerate Masterclass which held on Friday, April 6, 2018.

Being a part of "Half of a Yellow Sun" was Boyega's way of being involved in the Nollywood space. For the first time, he had seen that there was collaboration from offshore investment, but knowing that it was heavily found from Nigeria, gave him joy.

Boyega, who is currently in Nigeria on his first professional visit says it's important for him, especially right now, to be a part of what going on in Nollywood.

"Because movies like "Black Panther" has now opened doors for stories to be told. And it's one of my dreams to to be shot in an elegant and epic way."

"It takes a lot of planning and time because of the structure here. But the first stage is education, that's why I am here. This my first professional trip. The last times I have been here, I have just been partying and enjoying myself, but this time, I have been looking into the Nigerian market, talking to the people on ground, and seeing exactly how things work."

Speaking on a collaboration between Hollywood and Nollywood, Boyega stated that the combination of the positive minds of both industries would create something that's unheard of.

"The Hollywood side I know in Nigeria is kind of like, seen as the unprofessional. But if Hollywood were to make a move and come here and make movies, they would still have to listen to you.

Because there's a work ethic here in Nigeria that needs to be embodied into Hollywood. If you combine the positive sides of our [Nollywood and Hollywood] minds together, I feel like we can create something that's unseen or unheard of. So that' definitely is my long-term wish of being here."

He repeats that the success of "Black Panther" has opened so many doors, and that in Hollywood, everyone is like 'John, we need an African story.'

During his stay in Lagos, Boyega met with filmmakers such as MO Abudu, Kunle Afolayan, Niyi Akinmolayan and Femi Odugbemi.

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