Movie making is one delicate business and Nollywood movie makers have been able to keep up to the task with the quality of movies that are being produced these days. 2016, was a very competitive year in the industry as many high profile movies were produced by outstanding movie makers such as Niyi Akinmolayan (Arbitration), Kemi Adetiba (The wedding party), Kunle Afolayan (C.E.O) and many others. In the same light, so many movies are already making waves this year, here are some of the top movies to look out for in 2017.
1. Lion Heart.
The cast members of this movie is enough to get everybody anticipating. Some of the cast members were seen shooting on set in a location in Enugu state, Nigeria and the movie is will pull crowd. It kicked off with the announcement that Steve Eboh, Pete Edochie and Kalu Ikeagwu would star in the movie “Lion Heart.” Over time, new cast members including Kanayo O Kanayo, Onyeka Onwenu and Nkem Owoh were revealed. The movie also stars Jemima Osunde, Yakubu Mohammed and Sani Muazu.
The upcoming movie which is written by C.J Fiery Obasi based on a screenplay by Ishaya Bako and Emil Garuba, follows the story of an Igbo family that is into transport business.”LionHeart” is Nnaji’s second movie from her production company, The Entertainment Network (TEN), which was founded by Nnaji in partnership with Chinny Onwugbenu. No release date has been announced for “LionHeart.”
2. THE WEDDING PARTY 2
Record breaking movie, The Wedding Party which is one of the highest grossing Nollywood film of all time is set to have a sequel. CEO of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu took to her Instagram to reveal that filming for part 2 of the record-breaking film Wedding Party has begun! In the sequel, the groom’s brother, Nonso (Enyinna Nwigwe), has continued his romance with Deirdre (Daniella Down), the bridesmaid fromLondon. Nonso proposes by accident, while on a dinner date, and sets off a chain of events too powerful to stop. Deirdre’s upper-crust British family are against the pairing, as are some members of the Nigerian clan, but Deirdre’s determination can’t be stopped. After a near-disastrous introduction ceremony in Lagos, both families reluctantly agree to a wedding in Dubai, setting off another colourful, chaotic and memorable journey to everlasting love.
The film which is being directed by Niyi Akinmolayan and the DOP being Malcolm McLean will feature the original cast, such as Sola Sobowale, Adesua Etomi, Banky W, RMD, Ireti Doyle as well as new cast members Dakore Egbuson Akande, ChiGul, Omoni Oboli, Seyi Law and a host of many others. Following the ongoing engagement by the movie onscreen couple Banky W and Adesua Etomi, this movie is going to be a big hit.
3. ALAKADA RELOADED
The star-studded comedy film, “Alakada Reloaded” is back and this time it features A-list stars. Toyin Abraham alongside Kehinde Bankole, Woli Arole, Nedu OAP, Helen Paul, Lilian Esoro, Annie Idibia, Bidemi Kosoko, Liz Da Silva, Gabriel Afolayan, Comedian Ebiye among many others. Alakada Reloaded is the third production in the “Alakada” series, the first one being released in 2009, while the second in 2013. The story follows Yetunde Animashaun (Toyin Abraham), a young girl who is from a poor family background and as a result of her inferiority complex, engages in the act of making up stories and lying about her financial and social status in order to fit in with the crowd. The cast members in this movie will keep you wondering what next, Toyin Abraham is one of the big names in the Nollywood industry, making hit waves in both Yoruba and English movies, this movie is a must watch.
4. INDUSTREET
Following the success of her comedy series, Jenifa’s Diary, Funke Akindele is back with a new TV show titled Industreet. Industreet is a soon-to-be-released music-oriented TV drama from the stables of Scene One Productions, the outfit behind Jenifa’s Diary. It stars Linda Ejiofor, Lydia Forson, Funke Akindele and Leo Ugochukwu, The series also stars Ifedayo Olarinde (Daddy Freeze), Moses Agboola (Mo Eazy), Dayo Slides and Kehinde Oyebanjo (Kayswitch). The TV Series which was created & directed by JJC Skillz and produced by Ace Nollywood Actor, Funke Akindele Bello, is a music-oriented television drama based on
the African entertainment scene. Industreet is set to be the premier television drama series rocking the airwaves with its line-up of amazing actors and musicians entangled in its plots full of intricate twists and turns.
5. OKAFOR’S LAW
Okafor’s Law is a 2016 Nigerian romantic comedy drama film written, directed and produced by Omoni Oboli. The film stars Blossom Chukwujekwu, Omoni Oboli, Toyin Aimakhu, Gabriel Afolayan, Ufuoma McDermott, Richard Mofe Damijo, Tina Mba, Kemi Lala Akindoju and Ken Erics. The film goes against the view that straight men and women can’t just be friends. It brings this true by telling the story of Chucks (Blossom Chukwujekwu) nicknamed by his friends as the Terminator, an ardent player with ladies, whose quest to proving this law to his friends brings him three woman he must re-seduce: Ify (Ufuoma McDermott), Tomi and Ejiro (Omoni Oboli), whose lives have drastically changed. And this must be done within 21 days. This challenge of their various new status makes his quest to win the bet more and more insurmountable as he tries to prove the immortality of the long age law: Okafor’s Law. Despite the controversies following the release of the movie, it has dome quite okay on cinemas so far, this is definitely one high wave movie right now.
6. ISOKEN
Actresses, Funke Akindele, Dakore Akande and other notable actors are part of the star casts featured in the new romantic comedy, “Isoken”. The Jade Osiberu film takes a look at the societal pressure faced by unmarried African women despite their career successIt also focused on the dilemma encountered by a female character who has to choose from a pair of men with unique attractive attributes. Other top actors featured in the movie include Joseph Benjamin, Tina Mba, Ngozi Nwosu and other interesting personalities. It is one of the highly rated movies produced by Osiberu who has now built a solid reputation for quality films.
Also published on Medium.
