Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Dr Bukola Saraki has advised Marvel Studios to feature Nigerian actress, Funke Akindele, in the upcoming movie, ‘Avengers: Infinity Wars’.
Saraki, who spoke at Georgetown University in the US over the weekend, urged Marvel to cast the actress in the movie to increase its African audience.
DAILY POST had reported that Akindele’s name was removed on the popular movie review website, IMDB, where they had revealed she will act alongside international movie stars, Robert Downey Jr and Chris Hemsworth, in Marvel Studios’ ‘Avengers: Infinity Wars’.
According to him, Nigerian entertainment industry had recorded a rapid change and her stars are known all over the world.
“Nollywood is the second largest movie industry in the world; and is another bold example of people creating a value chain.
“When the first video featured in what would become known as Nollywood, a film called ‘Living in Bondage’ was released in the mid-90s; few could have imagined the huge industry it would spawn, but here we are today.
“Nollywood stars are known the world over, and the industry employs thousands of Nigerians. So influential are these stars that, when news spread recently that a major Nollywood star had been cast in a small role in a Hollywood film, Marvel’s ‘Avengers: Infinity War’, Nigerians went wild.
“It turned out to be fake news, but maybe we are on to something. Marvel Studios, if you are listening, if you want an audience of millions in Africa for your upcoming film, then there is a casting decision you need to make.”
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