Basketball is one sport that has transformed lives all over the world and to this course, Walt Disney Studios is working on a biopic with Nigerian director, Akin Omotoso. Titled Rise, the movie takes viewers through the life, career and family of award-winning Greek/Nigerian basketball star, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Through the biopic, you get to see Vera and Charles (Giannis’ parents), who emigrated to Greece from Nigeria and had to face the struggle to survive under the threat of deportation while raising five kids.
Then, Rise goes on to focus on Giannis’ debut into the NBA Draft in 2013, in a long-shot prospect that not only changed his life but that of his family and made him win awards like the Most Improved player in 2017 and the NBA Most Valuable Player Awards in 2019 and 2020.
Sharing his excitement over the movie, the NBA Champion said: “I am thrilled and honoured that Disney+ is bringing my family’s story to people all over the world. My hope is that it will inspire those in similar circumstances to keep the faith, stay true to their goals, and not to give up on striving for a better life.“
Produced by Bernie Goldmann and executively produced by the Milwaukee star, Andreas Dimitriou and Michael Foutras, the film has Uche Agada as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ral Agada as Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Dayo Okeniyi as Charles Antetokounmpo, Yetide Badaki as Veronica Antetokounmpo.
Additional casts include Joke Silva, Lala Akindoju, Maximiliano Hernandez, Eddie Cahill, Pilar Holland, and McColm Kona Cephas Jr.
Prior to Rise, Omotoso has written short films like Gathering the Scattered Cousins, The Kiss of Milk, and The Nightwalkers and full-length films like God is African and Tell Me Sweet Something which won him the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards for best director.
The film is set to debut in early 2022.