“We’ve Better Actors” – Bob-Manuel Udokwu on Idris Elba Playing Lead in ‘Things Fall Apart’ Series TV Adaptation
Nollywood veteran Bob-Manuel Udokwu has voiced his opinion on the casting of Hollywood star Idris Elba as the lead character, Okonkwo, in a television adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel, Things Fall Apart.
In a recent report by Variety, it was revealed that the series is in development at A24, with Elba and Gina Carter serving as executive producers under their 22Summers production company.
During an interview with Channels TV, Udokwu expressed that while he has no personal objections to Elba playing Okonkwo, he believes Nigeria has its own exceptional actors who could portray the role more effectively.
“I don’t have anything against Idris Elba being cast as Okonkwo, but I think we have top-class actors in Nigeria who can play that role even better, especially understanding the cultural background of the story,” Udokwu stated.
Despite his reservations, Udokwu acknowledged that collaborations between Nollywood and international film industries are a positive step forward. He also mentioned his involvement in a current project featuring actors from both Bollywood and Hollywood.
Things Fall Apart is the first novel in Chinua Achebe’s celebrated African Trilogy, which includes No Longer at Ease and Arrow of God. The novel has previously been adapted into both film and a miniseries, with veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie famously portraying Okonkwo in the latter.
