Nigeria is blessed with a wealth of talent in the entertainment industry, from music to film, but while the former has long been the sector’s shining star as Afrobeats continue to sweep the globe in awards after awards, film has always lagged behind in international collaborations and global consumption.
Nollywood actor Jimmy Odukoya might not seem like a household name to many people but in October 2021, he got an online message from Hollywood telling him he has been selected to act in an upcoming hollywood film. According to the actor in a press conference promoting the new Hollywood movie ‘The Woman King’ he said, “it’s a blessing because I didn’t go looking for Hollywood, Hollywood came looking for me.”
He said that when he received the job, a family member had passed away, and that was a painful period for him because he had to simultaneously receive consolatory and congratulatory letters. The Nollywood actor views this as his breakthrough role in a motion picture film, both domestically and internationally.
Odukoya portrays the movie’s antagonist, Oba Ade, an Oyo general who hates the concept of women serving in the military and who opposes the “Agojie,” the Dahomey kingdom’s all-female warriors, and their general Nanisca, who is portrayed by award-winning Hollywood actor Viola Davis.
Odukoya speaking on sharing the screen with Davis said, “I always loved viola as an actor, especially in her role with how to get away with murder series, and when i was told i was going to act along with her, I was excited but i believe that if you play alongside the best, you have to bring your best. Just to talk with her, to see her work ethic, her dedication, hunger, drive and winning award and she’s still driven, hungry, humble, it’s such an inspiring thing to see,”
