Ghanaian actor Joseph Van Vicker, popularly known as Van Vicker, has rejected claims by actor and filmmaker Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as Lil Win, that he abandoned an upcoming movie project shortly before filming.

Van Vicker said he was never officially attached to the production and therefore could not have cancelled his participation at the last minute as alleged.

According to the actor, initial discussions were held with a director identified as Big Matt, who approached him on behalf of Lil Win about featuring in two movies scheduled to be shot in Kumasi. Although Van Vicker was interested in considering the proposal, he said he requested the scripts and needed to assess his availability before making a commitment.

He explained that his existing work obligations ultimately made it impossible for him to accept the proposed dates. Attempts by Big Matt to shorten his expected shooting period from three or four days to two days also failed to resolve the scheduling conflict.

Van Vicker said he was particularly surprised by claims that he had withdrawn from the production just a day before filming because no shooting date had ever been confirmed with him and his professional fee had not been negotiated.

“Accusations that I cancelled just one day before filming are false for three clear reasons: 1. I never agreed to join the project. We were still deliberating the matter. 2. I never confirmed any shooting dates. 3. We never discussed nor finalized my professional fees. Big Matt and Lil Win scheduled their production dates, assuming I would participate, and they are now accusing me of cancelling,” he stated.

He also disclosed that Big Matt later told him the script had been written specifically for him, a point he said should have been made known at the beginning of their discussions.

“He mentioned that the script had been written specifically for me. I noted that he should have shared that detail from the very beginning, as it might have influenced my consideration, though availability remained the primary constraint,” Van Vicker stated.

Rejecting any attempt to use the dispute to generate publicity, Van Vicker said: “I refuse to be part of any misleading or mischievous promotional stunt.”

The actor maintained that his decision was based solely on his existing commitments and not an attempt to undermine Lil Win’s production. He further pointed out that Ghana has several capable actors who could step in when scheduling difficulties arise.

Van Vicker’s response now puts the two accounts of the failed collaboration at odds, with the actor insisting that there was never a concluded agreement for him to withdraw from in the first place.

Source: Yvonne Nyarko Agyemang