John Boyega and Netflix come together to help tell more African stories through film.

After successfully starring in Star Wars, one of the highest-grossing movie franchises in Hollywood history, John Boyega is taking advantage of his influence to set some projects in motion.

With his own production company, UpperRoom Productions, he has signed a deal with Netflix to develop non-English language films, with a focus on West and East African countries.

Netflix indeed has its eyes set on Africa. The initiative is to help fortify its investment in African storytelling with projects developed in African countries. On February 28, 2020, they launched its first African original series, ‘Queen Sono’, an African crime drama web television series created by Kagiso Lediga.

It stars Pearl Thusi, Vuyo Dabula, Sechaba Morojele, Chi Mhende, Loyiso Madinga, Rob Van Vuuren, Kate Liquorish, Khathu Ramabulana, Enhle Maphumulo, Abigail Kubeka, Connie Chiume, Otto Nobela and James Ngcobo.

They have also inked a deal with Nigeria, birthing ‘Netflix Naija’ and are in the development stages of two unnamed original series.

UpperRoom Productions is teaming up with Netflix to develop film projects based on stories, cast, characters, crew, literary properties, mythology, screenplays and/or other elements in or around African countries, with a focus on West and East Africa.

Announcing the deal, Boyega said;

“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. WE ARE PROUD TO GROW THIS ARM OF OUR BUSINESS WITH A COMPANY THAT SHARES OUR VISION.”

John Boyega

The Vice President of International Film at Netflix David Kosse said;

“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.”

David Kosse

John Boyega is getting ready to appear in Chase Palmer’s Naked Singularity and also set for the Netflix film Rebel Ridge, from director Jeremy Saulnier. Boyega previously came aboard the South African crime-thriller God Is Good as an executive producer and will also be in charge of the soundtrack for the movie.