Nothing wrong with Hollywood actor, Idris Elba playing Okonkwo in ‘Things Fall Apart’ – Omoni Oboli

Nollywood actress, Omoni Oboli, has  supported the casting of Hollywood actor, Idris Elba, as the lead actor in the upcoming film adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel, ‘Things Fall Apart’.

Things Fall Apart’ a novel which was first published by Nigerian author, Chinua Achebe in 1958 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 veteran Nigerian actor, Pete Edochie, playing Okonkwo, the novel’s protagonist.

It was recently reported that the series which is currently in development, will have Idris Elba and Gina Carter serving as executive producers under their 22Summers banner.

The development sparked several reactions as many Nigerians fear that the British actor may be unable to play the role well because he is not “Igbo”.

However, in an interview with Channels TV on Saturday, Omoni Oboli said there is nothing wrong with 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.”