omar22:


The last time I checked the writers were not holding a gun to the actresses head

Go and watch catch a fire or good bye bafana

Might just do that  
If she's as good as you say,I'm not sure why she didn't act Winnie Mandela story

Halle berry is a terrible actress and she only got that award so the black community would be quiet about a black women never getting an Oscar

They could have easily given it to Angela for her role as Betty Shebazz in Malcolm X

Oh please!!!! she wasnt even nominated

Nigerians have to shed this whole "local" "mgbeke" "Alata" thing they associate with authentic Nigerian movies which are just as effective and entertaining than their Hollywood (if not more so), given better technical leverage.

At the same time Nollywood producers should help us help ourselves.

^^^I'm sorry but actresses like Nkiru Sylvanus should stick to playing house-girls. 'Too mgbekerish.' Goshhh!!!!

This disgusting petty tribal sense will never leave some Nigerians!

stillwater:

^^^I'm sorry but actresses like Nkiru Sylvanus should stick to playing house-girls. 'Too mgbekerish.' Goshhh!!!!

She is good when given the right direction. In my opinion. I enjoyed her in evil forest and terrible sin.

all4naija:

This disgusting petty tribal sense will never leave some Nigerians!

What is tribalistic about this discussion?

^^^^
Probably you haven't read the comments from the beginning! The topic says it all though!

Not a big deal, unless she can't act well.

abeg move this to commedy section,nnkiru sylvanus ko,rasheedatu adelagbu ni

Lol I had to google Nkiru

abeg why the hell would anyone mention her? she's a non-factor.

she's only there due to Nollywood's obsession with yellow pawpaw

Just like the millions of talentless women in Hollywood who are there just cos of blonde hair.

This inane topic is still raging on?

In a way, this reminds me about the accusing fingers pointed at Tinsel a while ago. There were strong and virulent criticisms directed at the show asking why a Nigerian soap opera would be exclusive on a South African monopolist network (DSTV).
Then it came out that it was the same South Africans that came up with the idea, pitched it to the Nigerians and even provided the financial backing!

Bottom line is that people should be able to put their money where their mouth is. He who pays the piper dictates the tune.

40 years after the Civil war, there's still no big budget feature movie about that event from any Nigerian studios. if tommorrow a hollywood studio decides to release a Civil war movie, will Nigerians start whining about the cast again?

Yes it's still going on
'
what are you gonna do about it?

I can understand peoples frustration. I think Gabrielle Union or Kerry Washington would have been a better pick. It looks like there is heavy British influence in the casting though. I don't care to see this movie anyway because I know that the story will be lacking in some form. It will turn into a silly love story.

I think Gabrielle Union or Kerry Washington

Gabrielle Union  NO

Kerry Washington a may be!!!

Thandie is still better than both of those 2 above!

ThiefOfHearts:

Yes it's still going on
'
what are you gonna do about it?

Nothing. Just look and laugh at the inanity of it all.

I had a look at the original petition thread. I must say that that Ashley Akunna is a disgrace to Igbo people everywhere. Her arguments are so brainless! How can people stand to sign a petition from that halfwit?

See as people carry matter put for head, hunger dey blow man for streets, see wetin una dey discuss. chai!

@poster, whatever your opinion is, you shouldn't include all Nigerians. That means your father and mother and every member of your family are also retarded cowards. Be reasonable when making points.
However, the producer of the film knows best before chosing the actor and actress to work with him.
Let us learn to critisize fairly.

No he doesnt know best and Im challenging his decision. Oya come and stop me.

If you people have a problem with the topic, the hell are you looking for here?

WHy would anyone want to use a Nigerian Movie (performer) for a movie that we are hoping would win international awards like the Oscars and Academy?!

Abeg make una look bush jor.



If e pain una, make Nollywood go act their own version feat. Pete Edochie, Kanayo O Kanayo, Chiwetalu Agu, Rita Dominic, Stephanie Okereke, Ebube Nwagbo and others.

If e too vex una, dont watch the movie.

It really all comes down to money at the end of the day and how best to capture the most audience.
nigerians are likely to watch it even if the film is made for a primarily american viewers. but the opposite is not the case.

Wow! I love this thread. Now, first things first.

Chimamanda in her book describes Olanna as a woman with some curves, the kind Richard's ex-girlfriend (the English lady) would refer to as her possessing "the African figure". In my mind, she probably had a shape like Gabrielle Union; kinda curvy, not really fat, but not pencil-thin either. She was also described as brown in colour unlike her sister Kainene and her mother (nicknamed "Art" who were both clearly described as ebony-skinned. I would say she was probably something like Chioma Chukwuka's shade or D'banj's or even Chimamanda Ngozi's skin tone. Something between cocoa-brown and mahogany. But for them to pick Thandie to play Olanna is the 2012 joke of the year. On the other hand, she could perfectly play the role of the Asaba lady who Olanna suspected slept with Odenigbo, as she was described as extremely light-skinned (almost pale) and very slender. But for her to portray Olanna? No!

Someone mentioned that Genevieve would play Kainene and I beg to differ. Yes, Genevieve would perfectly interpret Kainene's aloof character but I remember her being described as a tall, br[i]e[/i]astless, dark-skinned girl who wasn't exactly as pretty as Olanna. That's why Olanna was portrayed as "the beautiful sister". Genevieve on the other hand is GORGEOUS. She cannot play the role of the less pretty sister. She is also not tall.

Am assuming that Chiwetel Ejiofor will be playing the role of Odenigbo, Olanna's lover/later husband. Odenigbo was described as a very dark man with lots of hair on his body and not at all attractive, but confident and intelligent. Chiwetel is not dark in the African sense (the way Chimamanda descibed it in her book). Odenigbo was also portrayed as very unattractive, while Chiwetel is manageable (for lack of a better word). Other than that, Olanna always seemed taller than him when on heels. I get the impression that he wasn't such a tall man. Chiwetel is 5'10" tall. Odenigbo may have been 5'5" tall.

Patience Ozokwor would perfectly play the role of Odenigbo's mother. I could just see her while reading the book.  

I think Chimamanda herself should be consulted because only she is able to accurately point out what she wanted portrayed in her book, but whichever way we look at it, Thandie is the worst choice ever!

Errm!If the book was not recognised by the Oyinbos,would you as a Nigerian know anything about it?

Okay bye.

Some people claim it's all about the money and making the Oscars. What about Slumdog Millionaire? It was directed by a foreigner but with the local actors/ actresses. He even used their local dialects for the movie with English subtitles. The movie grossed in a lotta dough and won prestigious awards, no?

What is wrong with using our own people to portray the characters in the book, whether the director be British or American? I believe with good production and direction, the movie would be beyond amazing. Using the Igbo dialect with English subtitles is also not a bad idea.

I'm really not hating on the rumored actor and actresses, but I believe this is a rare opportunity to showcase our people. Yes, Nollywood should have thought of it first instead of being cheap, but hey, they didn't. Still it's a Nigerian setting with Nigerian characters speaking a Nigerian language. I know we have great Nigerian talents out there (some have not been scouted), but most are seen in a bad light due to poor direction and production.

All the OP is saying (and myself included) is if you're going to produce a Nigerian movie, what better actors to use than the indigenes themselves who are already immersed in the culture whether Igbo, Edo, or Delta. I'm not losing sleep over it but Chimamanda should speak up!!

As the namesake of the lead female character, Thandie just isn't it. She's too skinny to even pass as an original African woman, she almost looks sick. Paula Patton would've made Ǟ better 'Olanna'.
Chiwetel, too sexy for Odenigbo, sorry

Chiwetel is sexy?

My bad, meant to suggest Gabrielle Union or even Stephanie Okereke looks Ǟ good pick, I think she's Ǟ good actress sha

Ghandi was played by Ben Kingsley an Englishman (not Indian)

Che was played by Benicio del Toro a Puerto Rican (not Cuban)

Selena was played by Jenifer Lopez a Puerto Rican (Not Mexican)

Mandela was played by both Danny Glover and Morgan Freeman Americans (Not South Africans)

Troy was played Brad Pitt and Sean Bean who have no relationship to Greeks, Eric Bana and Peter O’Toole are not Trojans.

Gwyneth Paltrow is American but played a Shakespeare character

Colin Farrell, is Irish who played a Macedonian King in Alexander the great

Some people claim it's all about the money and making the Oscars. What about Slumdog Millionaire? It was directed by a foreigner but with the local actors/ actresses. He even used their local dialects for the movie with English subtitles. The movie grossed in a lotta dough and won prestigious awards, no?

The last time I checked Dev Patel is a London boy acting in English sitcoms

Freida is from a Portuguese decendant living in India.

Now lets talk about the Indians used, we are talking about Bollywood stars.


The Bottom line is if you want to see the Ini Edo, Tonto and Gene in the Movie then stump up the cash for the movie (Around £15m) if not then shush!!! at the end of the day none of you have the legal right to the story.

@ omar22,
In my opinion, I could care less about Thandie's nationality. It may matter to some people, but to me, the problem lies in her appearance which is not an accurate reflection of Olanna in Chimamanda's Half of a Yellow Sun. 

safarigirl:

My bad, meant to suggest Gabrielle Union or even Stephanie Okereke looks Ǟ good pick, I think she's Ǟ good actress sha

Safarigirl, Gabrielle Union would be a more accurate description of Olanna, since she's curvier than Steph. Steph could easily be Olanna's twin sister Kainene who was described as tall, dark and lanky.

tpia@:

Chiwetel is sexy?

Lol. 
Chiwetel on his own is not all that in my opinion. But put Odenigbo next to him and Chiwetel will immediately look handsome and sexy.

In my opinion, I could care less about Thandie's nationality. It may matter to some people, but to me, the problem lies in her appearance, which is not a reflection of Olanna in Chimamanda's Half of a Yellow Sun.

She is going to take on the role, if someone tells me that Forest Whitaker is going to play Idi Amin I would say no way? I would say he better off playing Kenneth Kaunda or Mugabe but not Idi Amin and this is acting and he pulled it off!!! its not a crash bang wallop that you have to be ready in 24 hrs its going to take months to get it right! they have the experince we talking about a lady who could talk like an American or English lady! in a movie

But on a second thought, isn't a movie supposed to be make believe? Does it matter where the actress comes from as long as she plays her role well.


But on a second thought, isn't a movie supposed to be make believe? Does it matter where the actress comes from as long as she plays her role well.

u have said it all