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Nigeria director and filmmaker Kunle Afolayan is back with a new series titled “Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre,” which will be streaming exclusively on Netflix from March 1, 2024.
Credits: Netflix
Anikulapo: Rise of The Spectre Story
Anikulapo: Rise of Spectre is the fourth part of the six-part epic and hugely successful 2022 series titled “Anikulapo.”
The story is set in the pre-colonial era of the Old Oyo Empire and follows the journey of Saro, a traditional textile weaver who becomes involved in a forbidden romance with Queen Arolake, leading to his demise. The film ends with Arolake disappearing after destroying what made Saro powerful.
Now, the upcoming series “Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre” is a spinoff of the original movie. The series continues the story of Saro, who returns to the Oyo Kingdom with orders to complete a nearly impossible task, racing against time to avoid a dismal fate.
Director Kunle Afolayan’s Words On The New Series
Nine years ago, visionary director Kunle Afolayan convened a group of creatives and scholars, including writer Tunde Babalola, Professor Tunji Azeez, Ropo Ewenla, and others at his home in Ibadan. What comes as an absolute surprise for the fans is that the director didn’t want his hit Netflix film to be titled ‘Anikulapo’. According to Afolayan in an Instagram post, the movie was initially titled ‘Odu’.
And, although the idea was born, the timing wasn’t yet right. “Reflecting on those years, it becomes apparent that the gestation period, the patience, and the wait were all integral elements of a process that birthed something extraordinary. If Anikulapo had seen the light all those years ago, we might not have beheld the magic that graces our screens today,” Kunle Afolayan said.
Now that the new part of the epic saga is soon to be released, director Kunle Afolayan expressed his excitement about the series. He said, “I am thrilled to be bringing back the world of Anikulapo to audiences around the world. We have assembled an incredible cast and crew, and I can’t wait for viewers to experience the epic story we have created.”
The success of “Anikulapo” not only resonated with audiences globally but also demonstrated the universal appeal and impact of the film. When the original movie “Anikulapo” was released, it achieved remarkable success, ranking number 1 on Netflix with 8,730,000 views in less than 2 weeks. The Anikulapo series also emerged as the star of the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), winning multiple awards for Best Movie in Africa, Best Writer, and Best Soundtrack.
Anikulapo: Rise of The Spectre Trailer
The trailer for “Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre” has already been released on January 30, 2024, giving a glimpse of the continuation of the intriguing story of Saro and Queen Arolake.
The series was solely shot at the Kunle Afolayan Production (KAP) Film Village in Oyo, with a cast and crew of 600 people. Upon its debut in March, the series will be available for streaming in 190 countries
Anikulapo: Rise of The Spectre Cast
Directed by Afolayan the “Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre” series has an incredible cast of Nollywood veterans and new talents including:
