Nigerians have reacted with excitement to news that Nollywood actress and producer, Funke Akindele, has been listed among the cast of new Marvel movie Avengers: Infinity War.
The 40-year-old Akindele is set to play Dora Milaje, a member of the Black Panther’s guards according to a cast list available online.
She will star as one of the women fighters recruited from all the tribes in the fictional Wakanda.
The Hollywood movie is the sequel to 2012’s The Avengers and 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the movie also stars Bradley Cooper, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Zoe Saldana, Chadwick Boseman, Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Olsen, Robert Downey Jnr, Don Cheadle, among others.
Born in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Funke became famous for her role in television series I Need to Know, and achieve mega stardom with her 2008 movie, Jenifa.
In 2009, she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for the movie which has been adapted to the hit TV show Jenifa’s Diary.
The actress has not confirmed her starring role in the Avengers film as at the time of filing this report.
See some reactions from her excited Nigerian fans below:
How Nigerians will step into worldwide cinemas to watch Avengers infinity war
Becos of who? Bcos of Funke Akindele pic.twitter.com/DlnRyAyZjd
— Jèfé Juān Jọsé (@Jefe_says) January 10, 2018
This life is just very funny. One would have thought Genevieve, Kate Henshaw and the likes stood a higher chance at breaking into HollyWood, but see Funke Akindele, see God!
— FAVOUR ONYEOZIRI (@Rouvafe) January 10, 2018
It was a parody 5 years ago, now it’s happening. Funke Akindele is in the new Avengers! pic.twitter.com/BJRMtaE8AF
— LoluOlateru (@LoluOlateru) January 10, 2018
Me, a Nigerian intellectual, looking for Funke Akindele in Avengers: Infinity War. pic.twitter.com/QAqOYKL6Eg
— Thr (@Desambaius) January 10, 2018
It’s funny how a joke back in 2013 is now a reality, 5 years after. Congratulations @funkeakindele our very own super hero ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8F2Z6KUdHV
— 🌼✨ (@ms_roszy) January 10, 2018
Funke Akindele is really in Avengers Infinity War wow
Even if she might not have a speaking role
It’s still a big deal pic.twitter.com/UQBYYS2ghf— . edikan (@Sammie_N_IK) January 10, 2018
Funke Akindele to star in Avengers – The infinity war.
Nigeria is blessed 😀
From Davido to Wizkid to Burna Boy to Skales to Patoranking to Yung L to Funke Akindele to everyone putting Nigeria on the map, we appreciate you.
— Based on Logistics (@Iam_Abdulaxis) January 10, 2018
Even if Funke Akindele’s scene/screen appearance is 0.3174 seconds in the movie.
WE WOULD STILL BE PROUD OF HER!!!
— King..🕊 (@teddi_speaks) January 10, 2018
Nigerians in the cinema when Funke Akindele says her one line in avengers: infinity war pic.twitter.com/FQr4MVaUib
— Oluwatimileyin (@Timi_ODST) January 10, 2018
Funke Akindele is a cast in Avengers Infinity War as Dora Milage.
Funke Akindele begging Dora Milage not to die so she can be in subsequent parts. pic.twitter.com/ZQgiQNF77u
— #TechSummitOgun18 (@ogbeni_opa) January 10, 2018
