Chiwetel Ejiofor

Chiwetel Ejiofor

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Biography

Chiwetel Ejiofor (born 10.7.1977)
Birth name Chiwetelu Umeadi but known to the public as Chiwetel Ejiofor, is an Actor born in Forest Gate, London. He has had roles in television, theatre and film; with one of his most famous breaks in Steven Spielberg's Amistad. Ejiofor has been nominated for five Golden Globe Award nominations as well as receiving an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 2008.

Childhood: Ejiofor was born to Nigerian descendants Arinze his Father who was a doctor and his mother, Obiajulu who was a pharmacist. At the age of thirteen, he began acting at Dulwich College and then joined the National Youth Theatre. In 1988 at the age of eleven, Ejiofor was at a family wedding in Nigeria, when he and his father left the celebrations, they had a head-on collision; unfortunately his father died, but Ejiofor survived with minor cuts to his forehead.

Career: Ejiofor's debut came for television film Deadly Voyage, 1996. He became a student at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, but had to leave after one year. This was due to him receiving a role in Steven Spielberg's Amistad 1997, playing an interpreter Ens. James Covey. The actor would star in many plays, and receive an award in 1999, The Ian Charleson Award and the Jack Tinker Award for Most Promising New-comer from the Critics' Circle Theatre Awards in 2000. Continuing that year, the actor claimed the 'London Evening Standard Theatre Award for Outstanding Newcomer in 2000 and a nomination for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2001. In 2002, the star made his debut leading role in Stephen Frears British Thriller 'Dirty Pretty Things'. He was awarded the British Independent Award for Best Actor. The actor continued to impress the Film world with many small acting pieces throughout the years. In 2006, the star received two nominations, one for the Golden Globe Awards and another for a British Independent Film Award for his display of singing and dancing in Julian Jarold's 'Kinky Boots'. Appearing Don Cheadle in 2007 film 'Talk to Me', Ejiofor continued to impress in his role as Othello alongside Ewan McGregor as Iago in the same year, receiving the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor. His most recent role of Solomon Northup in 2013's '12 Years A Slave' has caused a huge stir, and catapulted the stars name into the limelight once again. Critics highlighted Ejiofor's chances of receiving another nomination for Best Actor will be high. Ejiofor claimed actors waited their whole careers for opportunities like these, and questioned if he had the capabilities to succeed at the role. His preparation was very detailed and included learning to play the violin, and even commencing in manual labour such as picking-cotton to indulge the role.

Personal Life: In 1988 aged only eleven, Ejiofor unfortunately lost his father when the car he was in had a head on collision with a lorry on the return journey from a wedding in Nigeria.



Biography by Contactmusic.com

Sherlock Gnomes Trailer


What do you do when you feel like your garden ornaments are in grave danger? You call upon Sherlock Gnomes, of course! At least, that's what these pottery lovebirds do when they find their new home under attack in the sequel to 'Gnomeo and Juliet' starring James McAvoy and Emily Blunt.

Garden gnome lovers (that's lovers who are garden gnomes, not lovers of garden gnomes) Gnomeo and Juliet feel like they've finally got their happily ever after; a glorious new garden surrounded by their dearest friends. That's all they've ever wanted. But when they discover that most of the gnomes have disappeared overnight, they begin to worry for their safety.

In a bid to solve the mystery of the missing gnomes, they enlist the help of genius detective Sherlock Gnomes, voiced by Johnny Depp. His methods are a little unorthodox to say the least, but when it turns out their situation is far worse than they feared, they have no choice but to follow his lead. 

Continue: Sherlock Gnomes Trailer

Chiwetel Ejiofor To Voice Scar In 'The Lion King' Re-Boot?


Chiwetel Ejiofor

It looks like the forthcoming 'Lion King' re-make may have finally found its Scar. The new CG-animated movie is rumoured to be taking on Chiwetel Ejiofor as the voice of this iconic Disney villain, joining a cast that already includes Seth Rogen and John Oliver.

Chiwetel Ejiofor arriving at WimbledonChiwetel Ejiofor arriving at Wimbledon

If anything is going to get you excited for the new comedy re-imagining of 'The Lion King' it's the news that this 'Doctor Strange' star is going to be taking over the voice of Simba's uncle Scar. That's what The Wrap are reporting anyway, who recently shot down rumours that Hugh Jackman was going to play the character.

Continue reading: Chiwetel Ejiofor To Voice Scar In 'The Lion King' Re-Boot?

Doctor Strange Review

Excellent

As Guardians of the Galaxy did two years ago, this action romp comes at the Marvel universe from a witty angle that makes it a lot more fun than the overcrowded Avengers movies. This film has a strong central character, a boisterous sense of humour and a relatively simple plot that never gets bogged down in explaining its mythology. Most of all, it's hugely entertaining, with a great cast and head-spinning kaleidoscopic effects.

Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a top New York neurosurgeon. Arrogant and dismissive, he maintains a friendship with his ex, fellow surgeon Christine (Rachel McAdams). But a car crash puts an end to his rock-n-roll lifestyle when his hands are seriously injured. After medicine fails to heal him, he turns to eastern mysticism, travelling to Kathmandu to study under the tutelage of the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton). She opens his mind to the magical power around him, and as he develops his powers with the serious, more experienced Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Stephen is pulled into an epic clash with the rebel sorcerer Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen), who wants to heal humanity by sending it into a dark, timeless parallel universe.

Despite the gloomy plot, Scott Derrickson directs the film with a very light touch, bringing out cheeky humour in every scene as these whip-smart characters interact with each other. Cumberbatch has probably never had a role that so fully draws on his real-life charisma and wit, and he shines as the swaggering, cocky doctor who has to rebuild his life in unexpected directions. For much of the film he's way out of his depth, which means that the supporting cast get a chance to steal scenes from him.

Continue reading: Doctor Strange Review

Doctor Strange - Trailer, Featurette and Clips


Before Doctor Strange was ever brought into existence, the man behind the hero was a dedicated neurosurgeon - one of the best of his time who dedicated his life to furthering his profession. When Stephen Strange is in an almost fatal automobile accident, he luckily escapes with his life but his hands are severely damaged and he goes through multiple surgeries in a bid to fix them.

Strange knows that his entire life will be completely altered if he can't fix them; it would most certainly be the end of his career, the one thing he's committed the majority of his time to. Many doctors try to fix his hands but they're unable to give the results Strange requires. In a last bid to find a cure for his hands - or at least find some solace - Steven travels to Napal.

Little did he know it but Steven Strange's life is about to make a drastic change. On a journey of self-discovery he finds himself researching and eventually coming in contact with a group called Kamar-Taj who hold ancient beliefs and have been known to heal people. As Strange is gradually taken in by the group, he finally meets The Ancient One who sees a great strength in Strange. She mentors the Doctor in the mystic arts and shows him his current reality isn't the only one in existence and teaches him how to manipulate it in order to gain great power and protect the world from others who only wish to destroy it.

Continue: Doctor Strange - Trailer, Featurette and Clips

The Martian Review

Excellent

Just as people began to write off veteran director Ridley Scott after a series of merely OK movies, the 77-year-old casually releases his most entertaining film in years. This sci-fi adventure is lithe, humorous, thrilling and genuinely moving. In other words, it's one of Scott's best films, mixing eye-catching visuals with a story that resonates with both emotion and deeper meaning. And it's also a lot of fun.

In the very near future, the first manned mission to Mars is caught off guard by a sudden storm. With their ship in danger, Commander Lewis (Jessica Chastain) orders the crew to evacuate, but in the chaos botanist Watney (Matt Damon) is knocked away and presumed dead. As Lewis and her team (Michael Pena, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan and Aksel Hennie) begin the long trek back to Earth, Watney wakes up alone on Mars and understands that he will need to survive until the next mission arrives in four years' time. But his habitat is only designed to last for 30 days, so he has a lot of work to do. Eventually, he thinks of a way to get a message back home to Nasa, letting them know he's alive. Now the experts (including Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sean Bean and Kristen Wiig) must figure out a way to rescue him before he runs out of food and water.

The story plays out on three fronts: with Watney using his expertise to survive, Lewis and her crew on their long journey back home, and the Nasa officials mounting a rescue mission. All three plot-strands are riveting, using convincing science to explore the conundrum while cranking up the emotional urgency of the situation. Intriguingly, the script never gives Watney a family back on Earth to sentimentalise things; the film simply doesn't need that. And Damon more than holds the audience's sympathy. He's funny, smart, tenacious and thoroughly identifiable, the kind of person we wish we would be in the same situation.

Continue reading: The Martian Review

The Martian - Clips


In these faux featurettes, the crew of Ares 3 talk us through some of the procedures and practices they must go through before embarking on their perilous mission to Mars. The small team of astronauts are put through rigorous training and exercise programs to make sure they're both mentally and physically fit for the mission.

The team also talk about how they will actually get to Mars and show you around their ship.

Matt Damon leads the cast in The Martian, he plays astronaut Mark Watney who specialises in botany and mechanical engineering. The story follows his struggle to survive as he becomes deserted on Mars after a near fatal accident.

Continue: The Martian - Clips

Rachel McAdams Confirms Her Casting In Marvel’s ‘Doctor Strange’


Rachel McAdams Benedict Cumberbatch Tilda Swinton Chiwetel Ejiofor Stanley Tucci Mads Mikkelsen Michael Keaton Mark Ruffalo Rihanna Scott Derrickson

Rachel McAdams has joined the cast of Doctor Strange. The 36-year-old Canadian born actor, best known for her roles in The Notebook and True Detective, confirmed her casting whilst appearing at the Toronto International Film Festival on Monday (14th September).

Rachel McAdamsRachel McAdams at the New York premiere of Southpaw in July 2015.

Read More: Benedict Cumberbatch Officially Confirmed As Playing Doctor Strange.

Continue reading: Rachel McAdams Confirms Her Casting In Marvel’s ‘Doctor Strange’

Z For Zachariah Pushed Robbie, Ejiofor And Pine As Actors


Chiwetel Ejiofor Chris Pine Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie's character thinks she's the only survivor until she meets Chiwetel Ejiofor's scientist. She says she was continually put into awkward positions during filming. "Just delving into it deeper," she says. "And I guess, for this role specifically, I tried to remember how I behaved when I was a younger teenager. I didn't know how to act cool around guys or how to regain some sort of power if somebody told me off. Those were the things I was trying to focus on this character."

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Chris Pine & Morgot Robbie lead the cast in Z For ZachariahChiwetel Ejiofor, Chris Pine & Morgot Robbie lead the cast in Z For Zachariah

For his part, Ejiofor had to react "delicately" to reveal his character's insecurity. "It all felt very real," he says of the relationship dynamic. "Craig can breathe life into the relationships of a very small number of people kind of effortlessly!"

Continue reading: Z For Zachariah Pushed Robbie, Ejiofor And Pine As Actors

Secret In Their Eyes Trailer


Ray is a dedicated FBI investigator with a crush on his District Attorney supervisor Claire and a close friendship with his partner Jess. However, all those whimsical circumstances are thrown out of the window when a corpse is discovered in a dumpster in LA. Ray discovers that it's the mutilated body of Jess' teenage daughter, and the devastated pair set out on a vengeful mission to find the perpetrator. Unfortunately, the suspect they pick up - of whose guilt they are convinced - they are forced to let go when no solid evidence is found. Thirteen years later, Ray returns with a new lead, having spent every evening since searching through the US prison system for their murderer. But this time, they're thinking of bringing him down their own way.

Continue: Secret In Their Eyes Trailer

Arise Sir Kevin Spacey: US Actor Receives Honorary Knighthood In Queen's Birthday Honours List


Kevin Spacey Benedict Cumberbatch Chiwetel Ejiofor Van Morrison Eddie Redmayne

American Kevin Spacey has said he was "honoured and humbled by such recognition from the Queen”, after being included in this year’s birthday honours list. The actor has been given an honorary knighthood by the monarch, after serving as the artistic director of the Old Vic theatre for over a decade.

Kevin SpaceyKevin Spacey has been given an honorary knighthood.

Spacey was recognised for his 'services to British theatre and international culture'. Accepting the honour he told the BBC, "I must thank the British public for being so supportive of my efforts on behalf of the Old Vic. I feel like an adopted son.”

Continue reading: Arise Sir Kevin Spacey: US Actor Receives Honorary Knighthood In Queen's Birthday Honours List

Chiwetel Ejiofor - Chiwetel Ejiofor is interviewed for 'Lorraine', to talk about playing Odenigbo in new movie 'Half of a Yellow Sun'. shown on ITV1 HD - Thursday 10th April 2014

Chiwetel Ejiofor
Chiwetel Ejiofor

Chiwetel Ejiofor Quick Links

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Chiwetel Ejiofor

Date of birth

10th July, 1977

Occupation

Actor

Sex

Male

Height

1.78


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Chiwetel Ejiofor Movies

Sherlock Gnomes Trailer

Sherlock Gnomes Trailer

What do you do when you feel like your garden ornaments are in grave danger?...

Doctor Strange Movie Review

Doctor Strange Movie Review

As Guardians of the Galaxy did two years ago, this action romp comes at the...

Doctor Strange - Trailer, Featurette and Clips Trailer

Doctor Strange - Trailer, Featurette and Clips Trailer

Before Doctor Strange was ever brought into existence, the man behind the hero was a...

Doctor Strange Trailer

Doctor Strange Trailer

Stephen Strange is one of the most talented neurosurgeons in the world, he's still relatively...

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Secret in Their Eyes Movie Review

Secret in Their Eyes Movie Review

It's rare for an American remake to be scruffier than the original, but this film...

Triple 9 Movie Review

Triple 9 Movie Review

After a post-apocalyptic dystopia (The Road) and Prohibition-era America (Lawless), Australian director John Hillcoat brings...

Triple 9 Trailer

Triple 9 Trailer

Terrell Tompkins and his team of officers are corrupt, finding ways to embellish their wage...

The Martian Movie Review

The Martian Movie Review

Just as people began to write off veteran director Ridley Scott after a series of...

The Martian - Clips Trailer

The Martian - Clips Trailer

In these faux featurettes, the crew of Ares 3 talk us through some of the...

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