The proposed HBO Max series ‘Americanah‘ which is an adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie’s book of the same name has been dropped by oscar winner, Lupita Nyong’o who was to play the lead, Ifemelu.
Americanah‘ was scheduled to begin shooting early in 2020 but it was shifted, propelled by the pandemic. Lupita Nyong’o who had other engagements had to cancel and drop the project which she put much passion into.
Nyong’o appears to be the reason HBO Max took on the project in the first instance. The entire project has been dismissed by HBO Max instead of considering another actress for the role of Ifemelu.
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Nyong’o had teamed with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie to work on the project in 2018. The original idea was to make a movie which also stars David Oyelowo. The design of the project changed when HBO Max ordered it straight-to-series.
Nyong’o was spotted with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in a party in Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Place in Lagos in 2019. The pair had matching jumpsuits and talked about working together.
There was a wave of mutual anger over Lupita Nyong’o playing a role that many claim should go to an actor in Nigeria.
During the party, Lupita showed her gratitude to Nigeria for being able to play a role in ‘Americanah‘ which apparently didn’t come easy. Nyong’o was welcomed by Nollywood actors in the aforementioned atmosphere that seemed jolly.
‘Americanah ‘was also going to star Danai Gurira who was to play multiple parts on the project – as a writer and executive producer alongside Nyong’o. Uzo Aduba, Zackary Momoh, Corey Hawkins, Tireni Oyenusi had been cast to star on ‘Americanah‘.
Americanah
A list of Nollywood cast who were also getting set to feature in ‘Americanah‘ includes Dakore Egbuson-Akande and Onyeka Onwuenu. All scenes were slated to film in Nigeria Nyong’o had said she will return to the country soon.
‘Americanah‘ was to tell the story of a young woman, Ifemelu (Nyong’o), raised in Nigeria and full of conviction. Set in the military regime of Nigeria, Ifemelu fell in love with her classmate Obinze (Momoh) as a teenager, whom she goes to the west with.
Ifemelu settled in America only to face the harrowing effect of being a black immigrant despite a successful academic record. Chinonye Chukwu, creator of the award-winning ‘Clemency’ was to direct ‘Americanah’.