Jade Osiberu, the producer of ‘Gangs of Lagos’, has revealed why she featured some singers in the movie.
Musicians who featured in ‘Gangs of Lagos‘ include Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, Chike Osebuka, and Zlatan Ibile.
In a media briefing on Thursday, the filmmaker said she featured singers in the movie because she doesn’t want to “stick to the stereotypical names” in the movie industry.
She also recalled her journey to making the first-ever Nigerian original movie on Prime Video.
“I knew that we needed a broadcast for the movie. And I wanted to not stick to the stereotypical names that you would see in a Nollywood film,” she said.
“I have seen Chike act on TV and I knew he’s a fantastic actor. It was a no-brainer for me to have him on there. He is not just a musician. He is a broad entertainer.
“Pasuma obviously has a long history of acting. Because of the world that we are in — Isale Eko, who else? Pasuma fits into that world. When we were shooting in Isale Eko, he was one of the people we had to escort out with an army because they just wouldn’t let him go because he belongs to the people.
“Zlatan was one that perhaps people wouldn’t have seen coming. But I was carrying the internet and I have just been watching his interviews. Something said this guy can do it. So we had him in the room for a little audition and he was amazing.
“He came for all our stunt training. He actually does his own stunts in the film, in fights. In everything he was superb.
“We just had to think outside the box. To see how we cast the film. I didn’t want to cast people who really don’t understand Yoruba but they were supposed to be speaking it. It would not just work.
“So it was supposed to blend with the characters that we were playing.”
The movie also featured the acting dexterity of Tayo Faniran, the Big Brother Africa 2014 housemate.
“So, even beyond the musician. You have someone like Big Brother Africa Tayo, who I have never worked with before but I have been a fan of. And I have seen his work and I wanted him to be in a film,” Osiberu added.
‘Gangs of Lagos‘ is set to be released on April 7 on Prime Video Naija.
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