April 17, (THEWILL) – Jimmy Odukoya, the first son of Pastor Taiwo Odukoya of the Fountain of Life Ministries, has made his debut in Hollywood. Jimmy, who also doubles as a pastor, appeared in TriStar’s historical African epic movie, The Woman King. The movie, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, also featured Oscar award winning actress, Viola Davis, John Boyega, Grammy award winner, Angelique Kidjo, Thuso Mbedu, Masali Baduza and a host of other notable actors.
Odukoya did not cast for the role. It came as an offer from the director who had been looking for the most suitable actor to fit into the character. He was sent a direct message on social media by the director who interrogated him before they finalized their deal.
The director and producer of the movie had gone to five different countries, spoken to seasoned and award winning actors just to get the best person to fit into the character they were looking for. None of the people the producer met fit perfectly into the role until Odukoya’s name was suggested. The movie was first announced in 2018, but the project was suspended till 2019 due to the outbreak of COVID-19. The project had to be put on hold till shooting resumed in 2021.
The elated actor described his involvement in the epic movie as a quantum leap in his acting career. The movie, The Woman King is a historical epic inspired by true events that took place in the Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states in Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. The story follows Nanaisca, commander of an all-female military unit and Nawi, an ambitious recruit, who together, fight their enemies who violate their honour, enslave their people and threaten to destroy everything they have lived for.
