The ‘Attack the Block’ and ‘Star Wars’ actor discloses Netflix partnership to distribute East and West African content.
John Boyega, whose performance as Finn in Disney’s ‘Star Wars’ sequel trilogy launched him into the mainstream, has penned a deal with Netflix to develop and distribute East and West African movies.
Netflix, partnered with the Star Wars alumni’s production company UpperRoom Productions, “will develop film projects based on stories, cast, characters, crew, literary properties, mythology, screenplays and/or other elements in or around African countries,” said UpperRoom.
In 2016, Boyega co-founded UpperRoom to secure a producer credit for the sci-fi film ‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’, in which he also starred in. To date, Boyega and UpperRoom have attached themselves to ‘God Is Good’, a South African crime thriller which Boyega will executive produce. UpperRoom is also working on a variety of film and television projects, as well as music through their record label division.
“I am thrilled to partner with Netflix to develop a slate of non-English language feature films focused on African stories, and my team and I are excited to develop original material,” Boyega said, “We are proud to grow this arm of our business with a company that shares our vision.”
Netflix’s partnership with Boyega signals the streaming service’s intentions to move into the African film market. Recently, Netflix has debuted their first South African series, ‘Queen Sono’, about a South African secret agent struggling to balance her personal life with her crime-fighting. ‘Blood and Water’, a teen drama, and ‘Mama K’s Team 4’, an animated show, will be released later this year to join Netflix’s burgeoning African content.
Netflix’s VP of international films, David Kosse, stated, “Africa has a rich history in storytelling, and for Netflix, this partnership with John and UpperRoom presents an opportunity to further our investment in the continent while bringing unique African stories to our members both in Africa and around the world.”
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