Wale Ojo in New Sci-fi Movie

Having countlessly graced international stages and screens, it doesn’t come off much as surprise but pretty good for British-Nigerian trained actor, Wale Ojo who stars in new Apple TV+ adaptation titled “Foundation”, writes Ferdinand Ekechukwu

It’s noon at the White Orchid Hotel, Lagos. The hints and highs of covid-19 measures put in place at the boutique hotel fascinate the eyes and minds of its guests. Meanwhile, it’s also the set of Blood Sisters, a Nigerian original production which recently rounded off filming. Just then Wale Ojo arrives, looking his usual self as young as ever. At about same time, the British-Nigerian trained actor is joined by other members of the cast, including Ramsey Nouah, Nancy Isime, and Ini Dima-Okojie.

He quickly acknowledged the presence of this reporter before checking in and returned almost immediately for a chat. “This is going to be like nothing you have ever seen”, he began. “Blood Sisters is going to be amazing. I play a very interesting cameo role in the film. It’s directed by my good friend Biyi Bandele, and the second director is Kenneth Gyang.” Why cameo in the Blood Sisters flick by EbonyLife Studios for Netflix? Why not the lead?

As if he anticipated the poser, Wale Ojo swiftly responded with a chuckle, albeit jokingly. “It doesn’t quite work like that. Different roles come up in different script and each script appeals to you in a different way and the characters one is drawn to don’t necessarily have to be the lead characters all the time.” Though the last two weeks has seen him on the set. He recalls having a very good rapport with the film production house, adding that they have been in bed since the movie ‘Fifty’.

He also mentioned that audiences should watch out for a big announcement soon to be made with the same production house later in the year. For the thespian, whose much sought-after craft has graced both local and international stage and screen, his focus now is set pretty much on the release of “Foundation”, a new Hollywood sci-fi movie which will debut globally September 24, 2021, exclusively on Apple TV+. “I have just been offered this new Hollywood role. Filming was completed on season one this year. It’s called ‘Foundation’. It’s a big deal.

“The locations have been all over the world in Malta, Canary Islands, and Ireland. In Malta, we filmed on the same location where a part of Game of Thrones was filmed. You can watch the ‘Foundation’ trailer on YouTube where it has picked up almost over 12 million views,” he said. This offer now, this ‘Foundation’ project, compared to his other works, where does he rate it? He says it’s pretty good for him so far on the international scene.

Wale Ojo plays the part of Professor Arren Sorn in the new movie. Professor Arren Sorn is a highly knowledgeable man who has to hide his knowledge from religious extremists bent on controlling the upper galaxies and the planets they inhabit. He narrates further his character and role on set of the movie, showing me clips and videos from his i-phone. Wale then recalls a particular episode during filming where he had to be pushed into the water.

“You know this is all set in the outer reaches of the galaxy and I had to be pushed into a huge black sea for going against the status quo of the Galactic Empire,” he adds. “This was pretty exciting as I like to do all my own stunts. I was preparing to train in a water tank when all of a sudden the studio called me from LA and said ‘no, no, no, that Wale is one of our top actors; please we fly in his body double to do the stunt instead’. I was flabbergasted. I was really looking forward to showing off my swimming skills.

“I always feel very comfortable when I’m in the water as I loved to swim. My disappointment soon turned to excitement when I met my body double, a stunt actor from London by the name of Raymond Charles. He really did look like me with a costume beard, height and everything. We had soon become friends and he promised to fly anywhere in the world to be stunt double or train me to do my own stunts, fights, hanging off trailers, jumping through windows, the lots. So in the end it turned out pretty well.”

The highly anticipated epic saga is based on Isaac Asimov’s timeless trilogy of the same name. Asimov’s book represents science fiction at its highest level at par with Star Wars, etc. Revealing a deeper look than ever before at the unprecedented adaptation, the trailer invites audiences across the galaxy to embark on a thrilling and emotional journey following a band of exiles who discover that the only way to save the Galactic Empire from destruction is to defy it.

The first season of ‘Foundation’ will come with the first two episodes available, followed by one new episode weekly, every Friday. The inaugural 10-episode season of ‘Foundation’ is led by show runner and executive producer David S. Goyer, who was the one that cast Wale Ojo in the role. David Goyer wrote the movie The Dark Knight. And he directed Wesley Snipes in the Blade episodes. He’s also credited with producing ‘Batman Begins’, and ‘Man of Steel’.

Featuring an international cast led by Emmy Award nominees Jared Harris and Lee Pace, alongside rising stars Lou Llobell and Leah Harvey, the monumental adaptation chronicles the stories of four crucial individuals transcending space and time as they overcome deadly crises, shifting loyalties and complicated relationships that will ultimately determine the fate of humanity. Wale Ojo, who is currently filming in Lagos but is based in LA where he is represented by international acting agency, is looking forward to the release of ‘Foundation’ and hopes his many fans home and abroad will join him enjoy this Apple TV+ movie when it is released on September 24.