Why Idris Elba shouldn’t play Okonkwo in ‘Things Fall Apart’ series TV Adaptation – Bob-Manuel Udokwu
Nollywood veteran, Bob-Manuel Udokwu, has condemned the report that Hollywood actor, Idris Elba will star as the lead character, “Okonkwo” in a television adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s seminal novel ‘Things Fall Apart.’
In a recent interview, the actor insisted that several Nigerian actors are qualified to play the role better than Elba, wondering why the American actor was the choice of the producers of the series.
“There’s this conversation about Idris Elba being cast to play Okonkwo in Hollywood’s make of 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,” he said.
He, however, mentioned that the ongoing collaboration between Nollywood and other movie industries is a positive development.
He revealed that he is currently working on a movie that features actors from Bollywood and Hollywood.
‘Things Fall Apart’ is the first in Achebe’s celebrated African Trilogy, followed by No Longer at Ease and Arrow of God.
Previous adaptations have included a film and a miniseries, the latter starring Pete Edochie as Okonkwo.
