Veteran Nollywood actor Bob-Manuel Udokwu has shared his thoughts on the announcement that Hollywood star Idris Elba will portray the lead character, Okonkwo, in a television adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s iconic novel *Things Fall Apart.*
This novel is the first in Achebe’s acclaimed African Trilogy, followed by *No Longer at Ease* and *Arrow of God.* Previous adaptations of the story include both a film and a miniseries, the latter featuring actor Pete Edochie as Okonkwo.
Currently, a new series is in development by A24, with Idris Elba and Gina Carter serving as executive producers under their 22Summers banner.
In an interview with Channels TV, Bob-Manuel expressed mixed feelings about Elba’s casting. While he respects Elba as an actor, he believes there are many exceptional Nigerian actors who could portray Okonkwo more authentically, given the story’s cultural roots. He stated, “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.”
Furthermore, the filmmaker highlighted the ongoing collaboration between Nollywood and other film industries, describing it as a positive trend. He revealed that he is currently working on a movie that features actors from both Bollywood and Hollywood, showcasing the potential for cross-cultural storytelling.
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