Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele

Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has debunked a viral claim that the director of her upcoming movie, ‘The Four’, died in a fatal accident.

The claim, which circulated on X on Tuesday, alleged that Akindele had broken down during an Instagram Live session after receiving news of the supposed death.

The post, shared by an X user identified as #GodfreyWis44495, included what it presented as Akindele’s emotional remarks about an alleged director who had supposedly been involved in an accident while on his way to her house.

However, Akindele dismissed the claim in a response to the post on X.

Reacting to the user, she wrote, “Your words shall return to you in Jesus name. You are looking for engagements Abi? God will give you!!!”

The actress’ response came shortly after she announced her new movie, The Four: No One Fights Alone, which is scheduled to open in cinemas on December 11, 2026. Contemporary reports confirm that the film was announced on August 10 and is set for global cinema release. (ThisDayLive⁠)

The viral post also used an old video of Akindele crying during an Instagram Live session and presented it as a recent reaction to the alleged death.

The post claimed that the actress had spoken to the supposed director two hours before the alleged accident and had rushed to the hospital after receiving news of the incident.

It further claimed that Akindele was considering delaying the release of The Four because of the alleged incident.

Akindele’s response, however, rejected the narrative, describing the post as an attempt to gain engagement.

The filmmaker recently unveiled the cast of The Four, a drama centred on friendship, motherhood, resilience and the strength of ordinary women. The film is scheduled for a December 11, 2026 cinema release, with FilmOne handling its theatrical distribution.

The announcement of the film has generated attention online, with Akindele bringing together an ensemble cast that includes herself, Bisola Aiyeola, Chioma Akpotha, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Timini Egbuson, Lateef Adedimeji, Ali Nuhu and Uzor Arukwe, among others.

The filmmaker has previously had to address misleading narratives involving viral videos. In April 2026, PUNCH Online reported that she debunked a viral video claiming she had snubbed Fuji musician Wasiu Pasuma at a public event.

The latest incident has again highlighted the circulation of old or misleading celebrity videos on social media, particularly when they are presented as fresh events.

Akindele has not announced any change to the December 11 release date of The Four.