Footage from tonight’s World Premiere and stills from the World Premiere and Global Press Junket for the Disney+ Original Movie “Rise,” which will stream exclusively on Disney+ beginning June 24, 2022, are now available. Among those who attended the premiere held earlier this evening at the Main Theater at Walt Disney Studios, and sponsored in part by X-Box, were the film’s subjects, executive producer Giannis Antetokounmpo and his mother, Veronica “Vera” Antetokounmpo, and his brothers Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Kostas Antetokounmpo and Alex Antetokounmpo, along with “Rise” cast members Dayo Okeniyi (Charles), Yetide Badaki (Vera), Uche Agada (Giannis), Ral Agada (Thanasis), director Akin Omotoso, writer Arash Amel and producer Bernie Goldmann.
emigrating from Nigeria to Greece, Charles and Vera Antetokounmpo (Dayo Okeniyi and Yetide Badaki, respectively) struggled to survive and provide for their five children, while living under the daily threat of deportation. With their oldest son still in Nigeria with relatives, the couple were desperate to obtain Greek citizenship but found themselves undermined by a system that blocked them at every turn. When they weren’t selling items to tourists on the streets of Athens with the rest of the family, the brothers– Giannis (Uche Agada) and Thanasis (Ral Agada)–would play basketball with a local youth team. Latecomers to the sport, they discovered their great abilities on the basketball court and worked hard to become world class athletes, along with brother, Kostas (Jaden Osimuwa). With the help of an agent, Giannis entered the NBA Draft in 2013 in a long shot prospect that would change not only his life but the life of his entire family. And last season, Giannis and Thanasis helped bring the Milwaukee Bucks their first championship ring in 50 years, while Kostas played for the previous season champs, the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Rise” stars Dayo Okeniyi, Yetide Badaki, Manish Dayal, Taylor Nichols, introducing Ral Agada and introducing Uche Agada. The film was directed by Akin Omotoso (“Vaya”), written by Arash Amel (“A Private War”) and produced by Bernie Goldmann (“300”). Giannis Antetokounmpo and Douglas S. Jones served as the executive producers.
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ABOUT OUR PREMIERE SPONSOR, X-BOX
No matter how ambitious the dream, the power exists to turn your dreams into reality. Xbox is teaming up with Disney to celebrate the all-new movie, RISE, and is inviting the Boys and Girls Club of San Fernando Valley to attend the launch event with talent and filmmakers. Not only will the chapter have the opportunity to see the new movie, they will also receive RISE custom travel cases for on-the-go- gaming to help fuel their dreams inspired by the empowering message of the all-new movie. Each kit includes custom Rise Xbox Series S, Headphones, and a portable screen. Fans at home can also enter for a chance to win the Xbox Travel cases complete with a custom Rise Xbox Series S, Headphones and a portable screen.
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 22: (L-R) Arash Amel, Akin Omotoso, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Ral Agada, McColm Cephas Jr., Jahleel Kamara, Veronica “Vera” Antetokounmpo, Uche Agada, Aaron Kingsley Adetola, Yetide Badaki, Dayo Okeniyi, Alex Antetokounmpo, Bernie Goldmann, Kostas Antetokounmpo, Chinua Baraka Payne and Manish Dayal attend the world premiere of Rise at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California on June 22, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
BURBANK, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 22: Kostas Antetokounmpo, Alex Antetokounmpo, Veronica “Vera” Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Giannis Antetokounmpo with family attend the world premiere of Rise at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California on June 22, 2022. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)