Christian filmmaker and actor, Damilola Mike-Bamiloye, has revealed that his father, Mike Bamiloye, initially rejected plans to remake the 1993 Christian classic, Agbara Nla.
Damilola said he and his brother, Joshua, first approached their father about remaking the film about four years ago, but he told them it was not yet time.
According to him, the brothers later revived the idea after discussing it with producer Chris Odeh, who encouraged them to pursue the project.
“We presented the idea to dad, but he told us it was not yet time,” Damilola said.
He explained that after further discussions and prayers, they returned to Mike Bamiloye, who eventually approved the project.
“Surprisingly, he did not discourage us. Instead, he gave us his approval and said, ‘Yes, go ahead and do it,’” he said.
The resulting film, Agbara Nla: The Return, is a modern adaptation of the 1993 production and is scheduled to hit cinemas nationwide on October 1, 2026.
Damilola said the remake retains the original storyline and characters but updates the presentation with modern cinematography, graphics, special effects and action sequences.
He also revealed that Mike Bamiloye returns as Isawuru, the character he played in the original film. Damilola described directing his father in the iconic role as an emotional experience, noting that he was only four years old when the original was released.
“I watched the film, loved it and went back home trying to imitate everything he did,” he recalled.
Damilola, who plays Kola in the new film, co-directed the project with Joshua. He said the arrangement allowed one brother to direct while the other was acting on set.
He added that the remake was deliberately developed for the cinema rather than simply reproducing the television and home-video style of the original.
“We are bringing the same story but presenting it in a modernised way,” he said.
The filmmaker said the new production also introduces elements not present in the original, including a king, the kingdom of Muwonleru and a backstory that provides more insight into Isawuru.
Agbara Nla: The Return is being positioned as a theatrical revival of the 1993 Mount Zion classic, which became a notable title in Nigeria’s Christian filmmaking tradition. The new film is expected to combine the original story and themes with contemporary production techniques.
