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Over the years, Nollywood has delivered countless captivating movies stories that gripped audiences, left cliffhangers hanging, and begged for a continuation that never came.
While the industry has grown more commercially savvy with sequels and spin-offs, some iconic films with compelling part ones never received the follow-up they deserved.
Whether due to funding issues, creative differences, or simply shifting priorities in an ever-evolving industry, these movies remain forever paused at the climax.
One notable example is “Diamond Ring”, the 1998 classic directed by Tade Ogidan. The supernatural thriller followed a university student who, in a bid to join a cult, steals a ring from a dead woman’s corpse triggering a series of haunting consequences.
The suspense, morality, and top-notch performances by Richard Mofe-Damijo and Teju Babyface made it an instant classic.
The way it ended, with the implication that the spirit might never truly rest, left room for a chilling part two. Yet, fans waited in vain.
Another example is “Isoken”, a romantic dramedy that was both socially relevant and commercially successful.
The 2017 film, directed by Jade Osiberu, told the story of a Nigerian woman in her 30s navigating cultural expectations, family pressure, and an unconventional love interest.
It tackled themes of identity, interracial love, and female independence, ending on a satisfying note but with the kind of world-building that could easily have supported a sequel exploring married life, societal backlash, or even her sister’s love journey. Despite high expectations and massive fan love, part two never materialized.
“Phone Swap”, a 2012 Kunle Afolayan film, had all the ingredients for a successful sequel. Starring Nse Ikpe-Etim and Wale Ojo, it followed two strangers who accidentally swapped phones at an airport and found their lives hilariously and romantically entangled.
The chemistry, the colorful storytelling, and the film’s commercial appeal made it a perfect setup for a follow-up possibly exploring what happens after they officially become a couple. Yet the industry moved on.
In 2005, “Games Women Play”, produced by Emem Isong and directed by Lancelot Imasuen, explored the deceptive lives of Lagos socialites, mixing glamour with betrayal.
With a strong cast featuring Ini Edo, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, and Chioma Chukwuka, the film became a fan favorite. While there was a loosely connected sequel, “Games Men Play”, it focused on entirely different characters.
Fans hoped for a direct part two to the women’s version, especially as the ending left some characters’ fates uncertain. That hope was never fulfilled.
A more recent title, “King of Boys”, almost made this list but director Kemi Adetiba delivered a follow-up via a Netflix mini-series (King of Boys: The Return of the King). This goes to show that when there’s a will, Nollywood can find creative ways to continue a story. Yet, many others weren't so lucky.
“A Soldier’s Story” also had fans begging for continuation. The 2015 film, which told the story of a soldier presumed dead who returns with a new identity, ended with loose ends about betrayal and redemption. Although a sequel titled A Soldier’s Story 2: Return from the Dead was later announced, it took years to arrive and by then, much of the original fan buzz had waned.
The lack of part twos in Nollywood is often not due to a lack of ideas or fan interest, but sometimes tied to production challenges.
Funding constraints, piracy, weak distribution networks, or actors moving on to other projects can all play a role.
Ultimately, these forgotten stories remain a source of both nostalgia and frustration.
They remind us of Nollywood's golden scripts that deserved more screen time.
One can only hope that with the industry's increasing global reach and access to streaming platforms, producers might revisit these abandoned gems because some stories are just too good to leave unfinished.
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