Egoli headed for the big screen

After 18 years on our TV screens, local soapie Egoli is heading for the big screen.

M-Net has announced that it will cancel the television show in March next year, but there are plans to produce a movie based on the soapie.

Like the series, the movie will be set in Johannesburg and feature the current characters of Egoli. Theo Erasmus, M-Net’s head of general entertainment, believes that it makes sense to extend the Egoli brand.

“In its 18th year of existence, Egoli has become a strong brand with a huge fan base. Even though M-Net has decided, in terms of its bigger programme strategy for the future, to end broadcasting the soap [in March] next year, we believe that there’s a big existing — and possibly even future — audience who would love to enjoy the brand in other formats, on other platforms.”

Burgert Muller, spokesman for Franz Marx Films, said: “Egoli viewers are going to want to see what’s happening with their favourite characters, and how the movie complements the series. But those who have never seen an episode of Egoli will also be able to enjoy a local film that is filled with action, adventure, romance and intrigue.”

The movie will be distributed by Nu Metro cinemas. Shooting will start in September this year and the movie will be released in late 2010.

Author info: Sasha Wyatt-Minter

Sasha is one of the editors of www.all4women.co.za and is also a 30-something, work-from-home married mom with a passion for writing, reading, good food and wine. She's obsessed with healthy eating and experimenting with alternative health therapies. Her best reward at the end of a busy day - a good book, a massage and some dark chocolate!