Nollywood Veteran Bob-Manuel Udokwu Responds to Idris Elba's Casting in 'Things Fall Apart'

 

Nollywood veteran Bob-Manuel Udokwu has shared his thoughts on the recent announcement that Hollywood actor Idris Elba will portray the lead character, Okonkwo, in a television adaptation of Chinua Achebe's iconic novel Things Fall Apart. The news, reported by Variety, reveals that the series is currently in development at A24, with Elba and Gina Carter serving as executive producers under their 22Summers banner.

In an interview with Channels TV, Udokwu expressed that while he respects Elba as an actor, he believes Nigeria is home to numerous talented performers who could portray Okonkwo even more effectively, given their understanding of the story's cultural context. 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."

Despite his concerns about the casting choice, Udokwu acknowledged the positive trend of collaboration between Nollywood and international film industries. He mentioned that he is currently working on a project that includes actors from both Bollywood and Hollywood.

Things Fall Apart is the first book in Achebe's celebrated African Trilogy, which also includes No Longer at Ease and Arrow of God. Previous adaptations of the novel have included a feature film and a miniseries, with the latter featuring acclaimed Nigerian actor Pete Edochie in the role of Okonkwo. As the new adaptation unfolds, the conversation surrounding cultural representation and the importance of local talent in storytelling continues to gain traction.