Fitofilifilms and 7eventh Studio are teaming up for a groundbreaking historical thriller called The Masked King, set to make waves in the Nigerian film industry. The film is slated for nationwide release on March 28, with a star-studded premiere scheduled for March 22, 2025. Distributed by Genesis Pictures, The Masked King weaves a tale of betrayal, sacrifice, mystery, deception, power dynamics, and redemption.
The producer, Francis Ohazulike, revealed that the film’s production costs reached N300 million. The storyline focuses on Mary Slessor, the Scottish missionary renowned for her efforts in ending the practice of killing twins in Okoyong, Cross River. The film aims to authentically portray African narratives, values, and traditions in a captivating manner.
The production involved significant expenses, including travel from Calabar to Creek Town by boats and reconstructing the king’s palace to recreate historical events accurately. Joshua Cassidy, the associate producer and creative lead at 7eventh Studio, expressed optimism about the movie’s potential return on investment.
The ensemble cast features Daniel Etim Effiong, Shaffy Bello, Uche Montana, Segun Arinze, Jude Chukwuka, Uzor Arukwe, Gideon Okeke, Jenny Stead, and Bernard Raubenheimer. The film is directed by Uduak Obong, with Awal Abdulfatai serving as the writer.