Omoni Oboli: Nothing inappropriate about Idris Elba playing lead role in ‘Things Fall Apart’

Omoni Oboli has expressed her views on Idris Elba’s casting as the lead actor in the upcoming film adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel, ‘Things Fall Apart’.

‘Things Fall Apart’ is Achebe’s debut novel. The book was first published by the Nigerian author in 1958.

The novel depicts the pre-colonial life in Igboland and the subsequent appearance of European missionaries and colonial forces in the late 19th century.

It was first brought to life as a movie in 1971 and a mini-series in 1987 with ace Nigerian actor Pete Edochie playing Okonkwo, the novel’s protagonist.

Elba, the British actor, will reprise the iconic role previously played by Edochie, a development that has sparked widespread criticism.

But in an interview with Channels TV on Saturday, Oboli said there is nothing inappropriate about Elba playing the lead role since he is African.

The filmmaker added that Africans are better suited to tell their own stories.

“I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with Idris Elba playing ‘Okonkwo’ in Things Fall Apart,” she said.

“Idris is African. His dad is Sierra Leonean. Yes, he has lived abroad but he is African. So, that is an African telling an African story.

“So, I do not see anything wrong with that. I am just being honest.”

Bob-Manuel Udokwu had previously said he believes Nigerian actors could provide a deeper insight into the role.

Elba was born in London to a Sierra Leonean father and a Ghanaian mother.

The 52-year-old is regarded as one of the top 20 highest-grossing actors in the world.