A Joliet Teen’s Wish Was to be in a Superhero Movie. Make-A-Wish Made it Happen.
His name is Bonaparte Moutima. He’s a 13-year-old from Joliet, and he had one wish – to be in a superhero movie. Thanks to Make-A-Wish Illinois and a few high-profile volunteers, he’s the newest local celebrity!
Bonaparte has life-threatening sickle cell disease. So when Comer Children’s Hospital reached out to the Make-A-Wish foundation and told them about his silver screen dreams, they made it happen!
The movie was called The Serum, and it debuted Wednesday at the Rialto Square Theater in downtown Joliet. The premiere included a red carpet lined with “paparazzi,” Bonaparte dressed to the nines, and an autograph booth for people to get the signature of the latest local movie star!
Check out the video recap from ABC7 Chicago
A few recognizable celebrities help to make the film as well, including Chicago Fire star Joe Minoso!
@ChicagoFire star Joe Minoso ( @DaMinoshow ) and Chicago producer Colleen Griffen ( @ColleenGriffen ) are among the film community members helping to make “The Serum,” a film written by and starring 13-year-old Bonaparte Moutima for @MakeAWish | https://t.co/VMYmAq0Wjy pic.twitter.com/440YpD5xdy
— ReelChicago.com (@Reelchicagonews) November 7, 2018
Here are a few more photos of the event!
Congratulations to former @SandburgD86 and current @DirksenD86 student Bonaparte Moutima who premiered his movie tonight @rialtosquare thanks to @WishIllinois! #Joliet86HOPE pic.twitter.com/TVVpSwsmqY
— Joliet Schools 86 (@JolietSD86) April 18, 2019