Nigerian actor and director Akin Omotoso has been tapped to helm an upcoming feature film based on the life of Greek basketball phenom Giannis Antetokounmpo for Disney+, Greek Freak.
The script has apparently already been written by A Private War and Grace of Monaco scribe Amesh Amel, and the studio has reportedly begun casting the lead in the hopes of shooting early next year.
The film will focus on Antetokounmpo and his family’s struggles prior to him becoming one of the youngest (and most exciting) players in the NBA.
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Born in Greece to Nigerian parents, Giannis Antetokounmpo started out playing in the Greek basketball league before moving to Spanish team CAI Zaragoza. In 2013, he made himself available for the NBA Draft and was chosen as a first-round pick, 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. In the 2016/17 season, he led the Bucks in all stats categories and became the first player in NBA history to finish a regular season in the top 20 across total points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. He received Most Improved Player in 2017.
The film’s title comes from Antetokounmpo’s nickname which he earned because of massive size and talent.
This is Omotoso’s second deal with a prominent streaming service following Netflix’s purchase of his film Vaya, and the company’s subsequent order of an original Nigerian series from him.
