Veteran Nollywood actor Bob-Manuel Udokwu has shared his thoughts on the news that Hollywood actor Idris Elba will take on the role of Okonkwo in a television adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel Things Fall Apart. The project is being developed by A24, with Elba and Gina Carter as executive producers under their 22Summers production company.
In an interview with Channels TV, Bob-Manuel expressed that while he has no objections to Elba playing the iconic role, he believes that Nigerian actors, familiar with the story’s cultural roots, could portray Okonkwo more authentically.
“There’s a conversation about Idris Elba being cast to play Okonkwo in Hollywood’s adaptation of Things Fall Apart,” Bob-Manuel stated. “I don’t have anything against that, but I believe top-class Nigerian actors could perform even better, given the origin of the story.”
Bob-Manuel also acknowledged the ongoing collaboration between Nollywood and international movie industries like Hollywood and Bollywood, describing it as a positive trend. He mentioned that he is currently involved in a project that features actors from both Hollywood and Bollywood, highlighting the growing cross-industry partnerships.
Things Fall Apart is Achebe’s seminal work, the first in his African Trilogy, followed by No Longer at Ease and Arrow of God. Previous adaptations have included a film and a miniseries, with Nollywood legend Pete Edochie portraying Okonkwo in the latter.
News Editor