Idris Elba playing Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart, why will anyone disagree?

By Jumoke Ogbe, Nigeria

There have been mixed reactions to the choice of Idris Elba a famous British based actor playing the part of Okonkwo in the making of Chinua Achebe’s famous book, Things Fall Apart into a movie.

Idris Elba is a world-renowned actor who has starred in various movies that cut across continents and cultures. Idris is also African and has plenty of connections with the continent.

Some of the people opposed to the idea base their criticism on the fact that Idris is not even from Nigeria for one thing and isn’t from the Ibo tribe where the lead character in the story Okonkwo, hails from.

Supporters of the idea, however, think that the fact that Idris is involved brings a universal appeal to the story and the movie.

Things fall apart is a world acclaimed novel that has been translated into several languages. The book is used in almost if not all countries of the world in schools all over the world. Things fall apart is no longer a Nigerian story. It is a story that the world has come to embrace and identify with.

I think that Idris is a perfect fit for this part and that all those who clamor for a Nigerian to be the actor are not taking into consideration the universal appeal of an Idris Elba playing the part.