Nollywood may be huge in Nigeria already, but it’s only just starting to break out and gain more recognition globally. Netflix and other streaming services have played a huge role in getting content from the country to people in other nations, but there’s still more to be done to ensure that the best pictures get in front of as many eyeballs as possible.
Nigerian production companies could turn to the West for inspiration here, as the Hollywood franchise model has proved to be hugely successful in the modern streaming age. Nollywood films should replicate this and expand in different ways beyond a single movie.
How Does the Western Franchise Model Work?
In Hollywood, it has become a rarity to see a standalone blockbuster that hasn’t been followed up with a sequel or any other related content. Nowadays, production companies want to get as much out of their movies and television series as possible. If something is successful, it will almost certainly lead to spinoffs.
Game of Thrones is a prime example of this. The HBO series was seen as a gamble when it first came out. However, due to its quality and clever franchising into related media and games, it became a huge hit. Now, it lives on through spinoffs in the same universe. High-budget films follow this approach too. For instance, the recent The Batman was followed up by The Penguin series on HBO, which served to expand the movie further. The same was seen with other DC films such as The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker.
On streaming services, there’s endless potential for expansion. The Star Wars universe is a great example, and it keeps getting bigger and better with new series and films that explore different characters and settings.
Is Nollywood Using Any of These Tactics?
As it stands, there hasn’t been much sign in Nollywood of production companies following this franchise model. There have been various sequels for some hit films, but these have rarely been part of a coordinated strategy to build a cinematic universe. There’s clearly a single-release mindset in the country currently, and this needs to change.
It’s likely that there will be a shift soon, though, as the recent rise of the internet in Nigeria has made a range of entertainment options more accessible. Many internet users in the country access streaming services for entertainment, but there are several other sectors that are flourishing too. For example, casino games have grown in popularity in recent years, and these are often used to boost franchises in Hollywood. There are slots based on films such as The Goonies and The Terminator, highlighting how this could be another potential market for Nigerian movies to expand into.
The internet has levelled the playing field for Nollywood on the global stage, with streaming services helping more people discover Nigerian films. Now, it’s time for production companies to capitalize on this and follow the franchise model that has worked so well for Hollywood. That means making spinoffs and games designed to get a title in front of a larger audience.
Leave a Reply