Nollywood veteran Bob-Manuel Udokwu has shared his thoughts on the casting of Hollywood actor Idris Elba as the lead character Okonkwo in the upcoming television adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel Things Fall Apart.
In a recent report by Variety, the series is currently being developed by A24, with Elba and Gina Carter serving as executive producers under their 22Summers banner.
Speaking to Channels TV, Udokwu expressed no objection to Elba playing the role but emphasised that Nigeria has talented actors who are well-suited for the part.
“There’s this conversation about Idris Elba being cast to play Okonkwo in Hollywood’s take on Things Fall Apart.
I don’t have anything against that as an actor, but I think we have top-class actors in Nigeria who can play that role even better, knowing where the story is coming from,” Udokwu said.
He added that the ongoing collaborations between Nollywood and other global film industries are a positive development.
Udokwu also revealed that he is currently working on a movie that features actors from Bollywood and Hollywood.
Things Fall Apart, the first novel in Achebe’s renowned African Trilogy, has seen previous adaptations, including a film and a miniseries, the latter starring Pete Edochie as Okonkwo.
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