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Even actors who are born in the USA get goosebumps on the thought of appearing in a Hollywood done movie. Therefore one can tell the joy an actor far from the US can get at the thought of appearing in a movie covered by the film industry’s Dreamland.
Such actors are celebrated and at times become overnight heroes in the countries of their origin. This is because such a milestone is not easy to achieve moreover of a non-American native.
However, over the years, Hollywood has become more diverse making it a bit easier for actors and actresses far away from America to make their dreams come true. Africa being a robust ground of talent as proven over the years has been one of the beneficiaries of the venture Uganda inclusive.
Over the past couple of years, numerous Ugandans both born and bred here and those abroad have appeared in a number of famous Hollywood movies and below we take a look at some of these movies and the Ugandans that you might not have known acted in them.
Black Panther
One of the best superhero movies and the best selling Marvel cinematic universe movie of all times featured two Ugandans. Filmed in an imaginary world and African kingdom known as Wakanda, it’s hidden away from the rest of the world and ruled by King T’chaka who dies and is succeeded by the late Chadwick Boseman known as King T’challa in the movie
The movie features Daniel Kaluya a Ugandan who was born in 1989 and raised in the UK. In the movie, Daniel is known as W’kabi a former head of security for Wakanda’s border tribe and T’challa’s best friend.
The movie also features another Ugandan known as Florence Kasumba and perhaps the most successful actress with Ugandan roots. She acted as Ayo in the hot box selling movie ahead of Wakanda’s security.
Sheena
Yes, that movie we all grew up watching set in the jungles of Africa features a Ugandan. This is none other than the princess of Tooro Kingdom, Princess Elizabeth Bagaya. Born in 1936, she was literally a gem of the days and still is up to now.
The princess of Tooro, Princess Elizabeth Bagaya in the 1984 film, Sheena
Long before these Ugandan slay queens started thinking they own the limelight, the Tooro beauty was already running the Hollywood red carpet. In the film shot in 1984, she acts as Shaman the guardian to Sheena a young white girl picked in the jungle and raised to be the queen of this jungle.
The Last King of Scotland
In a movie shot in Uganda and featuring one of Uganda’s former presidents Idi Amin Dada, one would have expected the film to feature Ugandans predominantly which was not the case.
They released the film in 2006 and it became an instant hit at the box office. Former Obsessions singer Cleopatra Kohirwe acted as Joy, veteran local actor Abbey Mukiibi as Masanga and Stephen Rwagyenzi as Jonah Wasswa. The movie would go on to win Forest Whitaker the lead actor an Academy Award for best actor in 2007.
Star Trek
Ugandans have really had their fair share of the big screen. This blockbuster movie having a Ugandan comes as no surprise. Nana Kagga known as Nana Hill in Hollywood was the Ugandan that appeared in this movie acting as a crew member aboard the USS Enterprise.
Nana has gone on to be an influential figure in the contemporary movie industry in Uganda. Born in 1977, she’s behind successful movies in Uganda such as Beneath the Lies, The Life among others.
Wonder woman
Wow, to be named among such a creme de la creme is such a joy not only to the actors but to the countries of their origin. The DC comics produced movie features Florence Kasumba once again and she portrays Senator Acantha in the Gal Gadot led cast.
The Lion King
The 2019 remake of the original movie of 1994 features Florence Kasumba once again as Shenzi in the movie.
Tickets Available Now pic.twitter.com/dKQSsmYyEi
— Florence Kasumba (@FlorenceKasumba) June 24, 2019
The 44-year-old has surely been involved in almost all of the best movies. She is the best Ugandan export in Hollywood to date.
Queen of Katwe
This one had to feature the majority of Ugandans since it was shot in the areas of Katwe just like its title in the ghetto of Kampala. The cast was led by Oscar award winner Lupita Nyong’o. The movie is about a young girl named Phiona. Her life dramatically changes after meeting Robert Katende who teaches her to play chess.
The movie featured a host of Ugandans such as Madina Nalwanga, Phiona Mutesi, Nikita Pearl Waligwa (rip). It also had Sheebah Karungi, Maurice Kirya, Philip Luswata, Martin Kabanza, Irene Kulabako. Vj Mark, Sarah Kisawuzi, Richard Tuwangye among others also had cameo roles. The movie would go on to win a number of awards in different categories.
Captain America: Civil War & Avengers Infinity War
Another set of top box selling movies from the Marvel cinematic universe featured another actress with Ugandan roots. Being a set of movies that involved all the Avengers, a group of all the MCU superheroes, Florence Kasumba had a chance to reprise her role she had scooped in Black Panther.
She fights alongside her King, T’challa as Ayo from Wakanda kingdom in the franchise. She will also make a return in other MCU movies that are yet to be released, The Falcon and Winter Soldier.
Judas and the Black Messiah
This movie made headlines at the start of the year and was a real blockbuster and fantastic movie.
The movie is a biographical drama about the betrayal of Fred Hampton. He was the chairman of the Chicago Illinois wing of the Black Panther Party in the 1960s.
— Daniel Kaluuya (@KaluuyaDani) April 4, 2017
Ugandan British born actor Daniel Kaluuya who has slowly carved a name for himself as one of the best new crops in Hollywood plays this role as the protagonist.
The movie released in February of this year earned six nominations at the 93rd academy awards. They also nominated Kaluya for best-supporting actor.
Kaluuya also won Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice Award, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and BAFTA Awards. This was for his performances in the same movie.
Check Also;
- Uganda’s Own Daniel Kaluuya Receives First Golden Globe Nomination
- Marvel’s Black Panther Continuation To Begin Shoot In July 2021
- Anyang Nyong’o Father To Lupita Nyong’o Disputes Her HIV Status
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