Nollywood veteran Bob-Manuel Udokwu has responded to reports that Hollywood actor Idris Elba is set to portray the iconic character “Okonkwo” in a television adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel Things Fall Apart.
According to Variety, the series is currently being developed by A24, with Elba and Gina Carter acting as executive producers through their 22Summers production company.
In an interview with Channels TV, Udokwu expressed that while he holds no objections to Elba taking on the lead role, he believes Nigeria has world-class actors who could bring even more depth to the character.
“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 noted that the ongoing partnership between Nollywood and other film industries marks a significant step forward.
He also shared that he is presently involved in a project featuring Bollywood and Hollywood actors.
Things Fall Apart, the first book in Achebe’s African Trilogy, is followed by No Longer at Ease and Arrow of God.
Earlier adaptations include both a movie and a miniseries, with the latter featuring Pete Edochie in the role of Okonkwo.