Will Smith stars in the new movie Concussion which is the real-life story of Nigerian-American doctor Bennet Ifekandu Omalu, the doctor who first discovered chronic traumatic encephalopathy (or CTE) after he conducted an autopsy on former NFL player Mike Webster. The movie follows Omalu’s struggle to get NFL executives to recognise the life threatening disease.

The movie is set for release in December.

While watching the movie trailer which was just released the one thing that struck me was Will Smith’s terrible “Nigerian” accent.


I do not know any Nigerian or Nigeria/American that speaks with the accent Will Smith is using in this movie. The accent sounds very East/Southern African to me. I would have expected an actor of Will Smith’s caliber to have done thorough research before taking on a movie like this and not followed the path of other mediocre actors who have also wrongly portrayed the Nigerian accent on film.

Surely it can’t be that hard to find Nigerians in America…I am disappointed…Big Willy fell my hand.

Americans need to realize Africans don’t all have the same accent…

Watch the trailer below & you decide if he nailed the Nigerian accent or not. I have also included a video of Bennet Omalu so you can listen for yourself & compare the accents.

Concussion Trailer:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk-1TLVUPZk



Dr. Bennett Omalu Speaking:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOKvhcBelwQ



I rest my case…


SOURCE: http://www.that1960chick.com/2015/09/01/will-smith-has-a-really-terrible-nigerian-accent-as-he-portrays-dr-bennet-omalu-in-new-movie-concussion

He tried just a bit.

What did you expect,it is not as if he was born here

What happened to using David Oyelowo for this strategic role

on the other hand, i think Will Smith is ageing UNgracefully or is it just me

Fd

ok

Even Dr. Omalu himself doesn't sound like a typical Nigerian... I played both videos and I heard the way he spoke, that's like a middle-belt Nigeria accent, not the typical Nigerian City accent. Either ways, I'd say Will is a fantastic actor... I think they should have used Adewale Agbaje for the role, but it's okay, Will Smith's a bigger name so it's better for business. . .

He can't learn it all.

adeyemi97:
Fd

b0y:
.

gokay11:
L

justi4jesu:

justi4jesu:

Space bookers Association on Nairaland

Ok

But he sounded like an Edo guy

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air!

Bring on kong fun panda or kung fu hustle or 300 spartans

But Dr Bennett Omalu's accent is not fully Nigerian na.

hmmm, wat can i say self

Thats not will smith speaking..its a dubbed voice...the voice sounds familiar though but definitely not will Smith's.

you guys especially nairalanders can criticize like the pharisees in the bible...you watched something about someone and you were so pained to the extent of opening a thread for it
okay what do you want us to do??
should we sue smith to court or ban the film before it is released..
letz be appreciative at least
The film is all about a Nigerian... that alone is something!


I have to tell seun osewa my boy to sack some of this mods...

My handsome Willy is aging

Complain first about the many so-called american returnees played by the many terrible Nigerian actors. Why do you guys immediately demand more from a movie industry that isn't yours, yet you act as though there isn't no energy to put into the horrible nollywood you have?

Accent differs from one african country to another,wonder why proper research wasn't conducted.

next pls

ok

OP don't be vexed,

Its just hollywood at the end of the day

It was never going to be easy especially for someone who isn't blessed with the talent of linguistics/different language learning or speaking

There are lots of Naija American artists out there that can pull this move better

But which one has a bigger profile than big Willy

Let's just focus on the positives;
like I just found out who Dr Bennet is despite my constant NFL watching.
A Nigerian been highlighted for his positive contribution to medicine n humanity as a whole. Etc...

Hater...
Dude stop hating

will tried his best

Lemme watch it 1st b4 I judge o.....

Terrible!

His accent tho.. But wat did u expect when an american protrays a nigerian character on set..
On a scale.. He tried!