The name Funke Akindele is mostly associated with the TV series Jenifa’s Diary. Her role in that TV series borders on the comical. Her manner of talking in the series is a switch of Yoruba and deconstructed English that has a heavy Yoruba accent with major grammatical errors.
In the Avengers: Infinity War, Akindele plays the role of a member of the Dora Milaje, a team of women who serve as Special Forces for the fictional African nation of Wakanda. The news of her role in the anticipated movie has left the internet buzzing with excitement.
??? #jenifa says she’s not running a charity Organisation!!! Watch another hilarious episode of #jenifasdiary TONIGHT on NTA NETWORK,8.05pm.U can watch NEW EPISODES of #jenifasdiary on https://t.co/r9yTJoHsxh Download all episodes&watch at ur convenience. pic.twitter.com/Guse52i7CZ
— funke Akindele Bello (@funkeakindele) January 10, 2018
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Many are looking forward to watch Akindele act in a foreign film. Most are curious to hear her speak. Akindele is a big shot in Nollywood. In 2011, Return of Jenifa, was the highest grossing movie in Nigerian cinemas with Funke Akindele as the lead actress, grossed $100,000 (N35 million). In its first week of release in only three cinemas, it grossed $30,000 (N10 million). It ran till February 2012.
Currently trending on Nigerian Twitter, Akindele’s role in the Avengers: Infinity War is seen by a Twitter user Henry Onos, as a major market penetration for Hollywood movie makers.
Nigerian entertainers have been breaking new frontiers on the international scene, from the likes of Wizkid to Davido among others.
In 2017 Akindele was the first Nollywod actress to be nominated for a Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award. She was nominated alongside Trevor Noah and Lupita Nyong’o.
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Many of Funke’s fans expressed their joy on Twitter.
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
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
I heard Funke Akindele played the role of one of The Black Panther's guards, the Dora Milaje in Avengers – Infinity War.
If this is true, big congratulations to her and Nollywood in general ?
— Osas Cruz (@OsasCruz) January 10, 2018
Some people think Funke Akindele can’t speak proper English?
LMAO! She will school you child. Funke will school your ass!— Ms.ϯ (@xi_iii_) January 10, 2018