Derek Wolfe with Remi Adeleke
Remi’s Early Life and Transition to the United States
Derek and Remi reflect on his privileged upbringing in Nigeria as the son of Chief John Adebayo Adeleke, a prosperous entrepreneur. However, following his father’s passing in 1987, the family’s fortunes took a downturn, leading them to relocate to the Bronx, New York, when Remi was just five years old. He vividly recalls the stark disparity between his affluent early years and the harsh environment of the Bronx, where he encountered violence, drug trade, and widespread poverty.
From Court to the Military and Becoming a Navy SEAL
Remi recounts his path to joining the Navy, crediting a committed recruiter named Tiana for assisting him by clearing his record and facilitating his enlistment.
Remi proudly says. “And a lot of recruiters are not like Tiana, where they’re like willing to take a risk or do the extra work to try and take somebody to court to try and work it out so that they get into the military.”
Derek and Remi discuss the rigorous training regimen required to become a Navy SEAL, emphasizing the arduous physical and mental conditioning involved. Through his narrative, Remi underscores the significance of resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to pursuing one’s aspirations, drawing parallels between his military journey and his subsequent pursuits.
Post-Military: Filmmaking and Writing
Remi and Derek discuss Remi’s entrance into the film and television industry, and he recounts his involvement as a consultant and actor on notable productions such as Transformers and Six Underground, which ultimately led him to dive into self-taught pursuits of screenwriting and directing.
Remi’s first screenplay, ‘Chameleon,’ whose character, Kali, is a chameleon in a CIA program called Black Box, works to takedown a rogue South African commando. The story isn’t your typical “Bad guy has a bomb.” Chameleon centers around themes of economic conflict, global intrigue, and facing demons.
Remi discusses his endeavor to adapt his memoir, Transformed, into a short film, and his fervent enthusiasm for the directorial craft.
Fatherhood, Mentorship, and Future Endeavors
Throughout their discussion, Remi underscores the significance of fatherhood and his commitment to being actively involved in his children’s lives, aiming to disrupt the cycle of absent fathers that he personally endured.
He also reflects on the profound influence of mentors like Tiana and the importance of remaining receptive to unforeseen opportunities. Remi’s eagerness for future collaborations shines through as he expresses interest in acting roles and directing endeavors, leveraging his diverse background and storytelling skills.
