Nollywood Is Not for Family & Friends – Needs to Embrace New Actors to Thrive
As Nigeria’s film industry, Nollywood, continues to grow in production quantity, concerns are rising about the quality and diversity of its content. One issue, in particular, stands out: the industry’s tendency to recycle the same actors in almost every major movie. This over-reliance on familiar faces has led to criticism from audiences who crave fresh talent and innovative storytelling.
One social media user, Osetbaby, recently expressed their frustration with this trend, shedding light on how Nollywood seems to have become a “friends and family business.” In their words, “Same face every time.” The tweet humorously critiques how instead of investing in new talents, well-crafted scripts, and strong character development, the industry relies on the same few actors. It’s almost become a predictable formula—call that tall actor to die in the movie, the other uncle to sing, and another bro to cry. This predictability not only stifles creativity but also limits opportunities for emerging talents to shine.
Osetbaby draws a comparison to Hollywood, where even the biggest stars like Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, and Tom Cruise don’t appear together in multiple movies within the same year. The diversity in casting and the time taken between sequels contribute to the freshness and excitement that Hollywood movies offer. Imagine seeing Robert Downey Jr. and Benedict Cumberbatch in the same roles every year—it would quickly become monotonous. The break between releases not only keeps the audience engaged but also builds anticipation.
The tweet also highlights the success of the Afrobeats industry as a model that Nollywood could learn from. Afrobeats thrives on introducing new artists to the scene, with industry veterans like Don Jazzy supporting and benefiting from this influx of fresh talent. This dynamic approach has helped Afrobeats achieve global recognition, while Nollywood’s reluctance to embrace new faces has, according to Osetbaby, contributed to the decline of once-thriving genres like Fuji music.
One of the arguments defending this casting approach in Nollywood is the concern over budgets and risks. Big Hollywood studios also face these challenges, yet they still manage to take calculated risks on new scripts and actors. The success of movies like Deadpool demonstrates the importance of taking such risks, which involve proper planning and innovative marketing strategies. If Hollywood can make it work, why can’t Nollywood?
Furthermore, the rapid production cycle in Nollywood—where movies are churned out every two to three months—leaves little room for the kind of careful planning and execution that leads to cinematic masterpieces. The pressure to keep producing content often results in repetitive storylines and overused actors, leaving audiences with a sense of déjà vu.
Osetbaby humorously points out how even in blockbuster franchises, where the same characters appear in multiple installments, years often pass between releases. This strategy keeps the audience eager for more, as seen with the anticipation surrounding *Avatar 3*. In contrast, Nollywood’s approach of featuring the same actors in movie after movie leads to fatigue and diminishes the impact of their performances.
While Nollywood has made significant strides in becoming one of the largest film industries in the world, it faces a critical challenge in diversifying its talent pool and investing in quality storytelling. By embracing new actors, taking calculated risks, and allowing time for scripts and characters to mature, Nollywood can break free from its current cycle and continue to captivate audiences both at home and abroad.
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