Welcome to the third edition of this newsletter. The weather is hot and we have got a lot of ground to cover today. Let’s get to it.
Top Story: ‘Children of Blood & Bone’ Casting Raise Eyebrows
The highly anticipated screen adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling novel, “Children of Blood and Bone”, has sparked intense debate following the January 22nd reveal of its key cast. The book, rooted in Yoruba mythology and Nigerian culture, has raised questions about representation, authenticity, and casting choices.
In a clear indication of the studio’s big-budget ambitions, Paramount’s adaptation boasts an all-star cast, including Oscar winner Viola Davis and Hollywood heavyweights Idris Elba, Thuso Mbedu, and other top talent. The high-profile casting is likely a strategic move to ensure a successful theatrical release.
While the casting decisions have generated excitement among some fans, others have expressed concerns about authenticity and representation. Tomi Adeyemi has promised that the film will include Nigerian actors in supporting roles, which may help to alleviate some concerns.
Directed by the acclaimed Gina Prince-Bythewood, the fantasy film will be shot on location in South Africa. With a talented director at the helm and a big-name cast, the pressure is on to deliver a successful theatrical release. But from the creative genius who delightfully delivered Woman King, audiences are definitely in for a treat.
The casting controversy surrounding the “Children of Blood and Bone” adaptation lays bare the risks of watering down culturally specific stories for global audiences. Despite Paramount’s big-budget ambitions and A-list cast, the studio has no obligation to stay faithful to the source material or preserve the Nigerian cultural essence that makes the story so compelling.
Let’s be clear: from Paramount’s perspective, this adaptation is first and foremost a business venture, not a cultural preservation project. Every decision, from casting to scripting, will be driven by the pursuit of profit, not a commitment to cultural authenticity
Nonetheless, I’m excited to see what Gina Prince-Bythewood brings to the screen, how a South African actress will play a Yoruba character Zelie Adebola and which young Nigerian talent will be integrated into this project.
This global product has the “potential” to showcase the richness and diversity of Nigerian culture to a worldwide audience so January 15, 2027, cannot come soon enough.
5 Major Business Headlines To Know
These are major news and business headlines for the week.
Iyabo Ojo’s Labake Olododo dated March 31st
Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo is set to make her debut as a cinema producer with the release of her latest film, “Labake Olododo”, on March 31st. This marks a significant milestone in her career as she transitions to the big screen.
“Labake Olododo” is a gripping traditional Yoruba movie that tells the captivating story of a young woman’s journey to claim her rightful place among the gods. With its rich cultural heritage and themes of self-discovery, empowerment, and spirituality, this film promises to resonate with audiences. Directed by Biodun Stephen and filmed on location in Oyo State last year, “Labake Olododo” is a must-see for fans of traditional Yoruba cinema.
As a veteran actress with over 500 movies under her belt, Iyabo Ojo has undoubtedly built a massive following across Nigeria. Her recent stint as a cast member on the popular reality TV show “The Real Housewives of Lagos” further cemented her status as a household name. However, as she takes on the role of cinema producer, her audience appeal will be put to the test.
Can she leverage her immense popularity to drive box office success for “Labake Olododo”?
Industry insiders await the March release box office trajectory.
Niyi Akinmolayan Unveils Anthill Family Title “Temi and The Labalaba Band”
Acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker, Niyi Akinmolayan, is set to delight audiences with his latest project, “Temi and The Labalaba Band”, a thrilling new series and addition to the Anthill Production portfolio. This strategic release is poised to capitalise on the growing demand for family-friendly content in Nigeria, offering a unique value proposition for audiences and advertisers alike.
Mark your calendars for April, when “Temi and The Labalaba Band” will premiere on YouTube and debut on select broadcast channels.
The series follows the adventures of five young friends – Temi, Nanya, Tosin, Lolu, and Falz – who form a band to save their beloved local restaurant, “Mama’s Place”, from being demolished by a greedy landlord. Along the way, they learn valuable lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and the power of music to bring people together.
Circuits TV Launches Affordable 4, 8 and 12-Hour Viewing Plan
Circuits TV has unveiled a new range of flexible viewing plans designed to cater to diverse viewer needs, with a focus on showcasing the best of Nollywood content. The plans, which start at an affordable rate, allow viewers to choose how much TV they want to watch. Whether you’re a fan of Nollywood blockbusters or a casual viewer, Circuits TV’s new plans seem to be aimed at providing affordable offers to mass audiences to drive viewing.
Since its launch in December, Circuits TV has already built a decent library of Nollywood titles, including Seven Doors, Asiri Ade, Ruthless and Conversation in Transit.
With its new viewing plans, viewers can now access these titles and more. This innovative approach is very exciting and it seems the team at circuits are engaging the market on an interesting level and this strategy might just work out fine.
Africa Magic Expands Content Offerings with Original Limited Series “Deeper”
Sunday night, TV audiences were watching the last episode of the captivating original limited series “Deeper”, produced by Lani Aisida, which delved into the complexities of family dynamics.
This latest commission marked a significant milestone in Africa Magic’s content development journey, which has come a long way since its early days of commissioning longrunning soaps, 260 and 130 episodes of local tiles.
Depper, a thriller series boasts a talented lead cast, including Ozy Agu and Anne Icha. At its heart, the story revolves around the complex lives of Adelu, her husband David, and their teenage daughter Ire. As Adelu’s pregnancy advances, the family’s seemingly stable life unravels, exposing dark secrets, betrayal, and supernatural elements that threaten to destroy their relationships and lives. “Deeper” premiered exclusively on Africa Magic from January 24-26 at 9:00 PM, and is now available to stream on Showmax.
This format is becoming a staple for Africa Magic, with another example being “My Fairy Tale Wedding”, which also adopted the limited series format. By experimenting with new formats, Africa Magic continues to push the boundaries of storytelling and provide audiences with fresh and exciting content.
Where is Isoken?
Jade Osiberu, the producer and director of “Isoken”, recently rebranded her YouTube production company account to a web series production company named Smash Hit. Interestingly, “Isoken” was initially soft-launched on the Smash Hit channel. However, as of January 2025, the title has mysteriously vanished from the channel. The title is also not available on Netflix, Prime Video or any other streaming service that we know of.
This sudden disappearance hints that “Isoken” might be in the process of being repositioned for another platform. This move also begs the question of what happens to classic Nigerian cinema movies that are 15 years older. Should there be a platform that services this niche or is it not worth the trouble?
By The Numbers:
EbonyLife Cinema, which opened its doors in 2016, is proving that luxury cinema retail can be a successful venture in Nigeria. After initial struggles, the cinema has bounced back strong, generating a staggering N838.7 million in box office revenue from its 437 seats across 5 luxury screens.
This impressive revenue milestone underscores the cinema’s ability to deliver a premium viewing experience that attracts and retains a loyal customer base. According to rave reviews, EbonyLife Cinema’s winning formula combines a beautifully designed space, a less crowded environment, and ultra-comfy seats.
Reaction Radar:
Marketing ad of the Week:
“Have you ever had someone else tell your story?
This week, I’m revisiting the Netflix Africa ad that debuted to huge rave in June 2020. Starring big-name talents from all over Africa, the ad set the stage for what the streamer did and did not do (Crying in Brave ones, Nigeria version)
Jokes aside, Globalization is fast coming for African stories, and the question remains: what does this mean for the authenticity and ownership of these narratives?
Under the Radar:
What I am watching: Visa on Arrival Season 6, Episode 2.
Africa in Focus:
Kenyan Showrunners Make Netflix Debut with Global Premiere of “Kash Money”
Acclaimed Kenyan producers, Philippe Breson and Grace Kahaki, bring their expertise to Netflix with “Kash Money”, a gripping 6-part series set to make its global premiere on January 31st. With over 10 years of experience in Kenya’s television industry, the duo has crafted popular shows like “Changing Times”, “My Two Wives”, and the hit Showmax Original series “Single Kiasi”.
“Kash Money” marks a significant milestone as the first Netflix series from Breson and Kahaki, and one of the few Kenyan titles on the platform, following the success of “Country Queen”. The series revolves around the mysterious death of wealthy and influential Joe Jenga, who leaves behind a vast fortune and a web of secrets. As his family navigates his shocking will, they uncover dark secrets, betrayal, and twisted family dynamics that threaten to tear them apart.
With each episode, the truth behind Joe’s death becomes increasingly entangled, leading to a thrilling conclusion that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats
Business Trade Press:
After 35 years at the helm, Col Needham is stepping down as CEO of IMDb, a company he founded in 1990 and developed into an entertainment industry powerhouse.
In 1998, IMDb was acquired by Amazon, providing the resources to further expand its offerings. Under his leadership, IMDb launched IMDb Pro at the Sundance Film Festival in 2002, acquired rival Box Office Mojo in 2008, and evolved into an internet giant.
Needham’s successor, Nikki Santoro, takes the reins as only the second CEO in IMDb’s history. As a leading online destination for entertainment information, IMDb remains a powerful resource for the film and television industry, attracting tens of millions of monthly visitors and providing invaluable data and insights to professionals and fans alike.
Next Week Anticipation: The Filmone Exhibition and the slate of studio and indie titles for 2025.
Thanks For Reading
Email me scoops at [email protected] or DM @shockng
