Nigerian Entrepreneur, CEO and founder of Future Africa, Mr Iyinoluwa Aboyeji Friday slammed the decision by EbonyLife TV Founder, Mo Abudu for buying the adaptation rights for a movie on Ramon Abass, also known as Ray Hushpuppi.
Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife TV, Universal Pictures, and Will Packer Productions had announced late Thursday that they’d received the adaptation rights for a movie on Ramon Abass, also known as Ray Hushpuppi. The production houses have decided to do a movie on the International fraudster, based on a Bloomberg story, “The Fall of the Billionaire Gucci Master.”
In a tweet Friday, Mr Aboyeji, a Co-founder @theflutterwave @anafricanfuture@andela wrote, “this is very sad”, the tweets continue in parts, “The stories we choose to tell are who we are”.
He questioned, “Why are we glorifying dumb criminals when Fela’s movie hasn’t been made yet. I’m tired of this shit”.
An untitled action thriller movie project has been set up at Universal Pictures, following the collection of the adaptation rights for the movie.
The movie will be based on a Bloomberg story by Evan Ratiff which detailed how Hushpuppi carried out an internet scam and how he was caught by International police.
When the project is ready, Mo Abudu will produce for EbonyLife Studios while Will Packer Productions and Abudu will produce for EbonyLife Studios.
Will Packer Productions is known for producing popular movies like Girls Trip and Night School.
“Ten months ago Mo pitched us a rich and entertaining concept steeped in Nigerian culture that can only be told with the help of her unique perspective. Together we knew Evan’s work was the definitive telling and the perfect anchor of this saga,” Will Packer said in a statement.
On why she decided to take on the project, Abudu said: “EbonyLife is uniquely positioned to ensure the depth and authenticity of this film. This is why we needed to partner with a major Hollywood producer like Will Packer Productions.
“They are equally invested in telling stories that resonate with our audiences. We understand the environment of poverty and deprivation that breeds highly talented and fundamentally flawed characters like Hushpuppi.
“And WPP knows how to create stories with global appeal.”
