Wole Soyinka Stars as Wale Ojo in the Cinematic Adaptation of 'The Man Died'

In a landmark moment for Nollywood, seasoned actor Wale Ojo is set to portray the esteemed Nigerian author and Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, in the forthcoming film adaptation of Soyinka's profound memoir, "The Man Died". This autobiographical work, first published in 1972, offers a gripping narrative of Soyinka's harrowing experiences as a political prisoner during the tumultuous Nigerian Civil War in the late 1960s.

Renowned for his incisive literary contributions, Soyinka etched his name in history by clinching the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986, becoming the first Sub-Saharan African laureate. The announcement of the film's adaptation coincides with Soyinka's 89th birthday celebrations, where Ojo, aged 55, lauded the literary giant on Instagram, describing him as "a rare icon" and acknowledging his indelible impact on the literary world.

The film boasts an impressive cast including notable Nollywood figures such as Chidi Mokeme, Sam Dede, Norbert Young, Francis Onwochei, Edmond Enabe, and Segilola Ogidan, alongside emerging talents Simileoluwa Hassan, Christiana Oshunniyi, and Abraham Amkpa.

The project is helmed by a distinguished team with Femi Odugbemi as producer, Bode Asiyanbi handling the screenplay, and Awam Amkpa in the director's chair. Scheduled for a July 2024 release, the film aims to commemorate Soyinka's 90th birthday, offering a cinematic tribute to his legacy.

This adaptation follows the success of "Elesin Oba, The King's Horseman", a Netflix film based on Soyinka's 1975 play "Death and the King's Horseman", featuring a stellar cast including Odunlade Adekola and Shaffy Bello. Soyinka's literary oeuvre spans across various genres and themes, with notable works such as "The Lion and the Jewel", "The Trials of Brother Jero", "Aké: The Years of Childhood", and "You Must Set Forth at Dawn", continuing to resonate with audiences worldwide.