‘We’ve better actors’ — Bob-Manuel reacts to Idris Elba’s lead role in ‘Things Fall Apart’

Bob-Manuel Udokwu has shared his thoughts on Idris Elba‘s casting as Okonkwo in the upcoming TV adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel, ‘Things Fall Apart’.

Elba, the British actor, will reprise the iconic role previously played by ace Nigerian actor Pete Edochie in the 1971 and 1987 adaptations.

But in an interview with Channels TV, Udokwu said he believes Nigerian actors could bring a deeper understanding to the role.

“There is this conversation about Idris Elba being cast to play the role of Okonkwo in Hollywood’s make of ‘Things Fall Apart’,” he said.

“I don’t have anything against that as an actor but I think we have top-class actors in Nigeria who can play the role even better, knowing where the story is coming from.”

Udokwu emphasized the importance of collaboration between Nollywood and international film industries to expand the country’s global reach.

“We need more collaboration. I said this years ago that Nollywood has come of age. We don’t have to do anything more to prove to the world we the world-class talents,” he said.

“…What Nollywood needs now is collaboration and it beginning to happen. We need to have more and more collaboration with our counterparts in Europe and North America.

“That is the path to follow now and I believe that it is beginning to happen gradually and we will eventually get there.”