Idris Elba as Okonkwo: A Strategic Casting for ‘Things Fall Apart’ Remake

Casting Idris Elba as Okonkwo in the upcoming series adaptation of “Things Fall Apart” was a strategic move.

Hollywood is set to remake Chinua Achebe‘s renowned novel, originally adapted in 1987. The 1958 literary masterpiece, celebrated worldwide, tells the pre-colonial story of Igbo heritage—a landmark achievement in Nigerian storytelling.

The original film starred iconic Nigerian actors like Pete Edochie, Sam Loco Efe, Olu Jacobs, Patience Ozokwor, Nkem Owoh, Justus Esiri, and Elizabeth Okaro. However, the remake will be a series, and many Nigerians are calling for Stan Nze to take on the role of Okonkwo, originally played by Pete Edochie.

It’s important to understand that American film studios prioritize profit. They are not charity organizations; no Hollywood studio will risk a movie underperforming at the box office. While this might disappoint some Nigerian audiences, these studios cater to a global market, starting with America and then expanding to China, Europe, Asia, and beyond.

Studios operate like global financial giants, always focusing on revenue. Even in the 1960s, Marilyn Monroe‘s films were generating $200 million, equivalent to $2 billion today. The casting of actors is based purely on their box office appeal.

Although emotions are high among Nigerians, Idris Elba, known for his roles in films like “Black Panther” with the “Wakanda accent,” will bring in more revenue for A24 Films and other studios involved. His casting makes sense from a business perspective. Idris was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2016, and his films have grossed over $9.8 billion globally, including $3.6 billion in North America. By May 2019, he ranked among North America’s top 20 highest-grossing actors. These numbers highlight why studios favour him.

A24 would prefer Idris‘ global appeal and accent over casting a Nigerian actor with Pete Edochie‘s traditional Okonkwo accent. This isn’t to undermine the talent of actors like Stan Nze or Uzor Arukwe; they are brilliant in their own right, but studio decisions are strictly business.

A24, a New York-based production and distribution company known for films like Ex Machina and Room, will produce the series. Nigerian-American actor David Oyelowo is also attached as a producer, and the remake will be watched globally, earning accolades for Nigeria.

Nigeria won’t be excluded entirely. Alongside Gina Carter, Idris will star and executive produce the series through their 22Summers production company. David Oyelowo and Amanda N’Duka will executive produce under their Yoruba Saxon Productions, with Ben Forkner, Dayo Ogunyemi, and Achebe Masterworks also serving as executive producers.

Nigeria has two options: either the government begins funding big-budget films, or Nollywood will continue to lag behind Hollywood. This is where Hannatu Musawa could step in, negotiating with A24 and other studios to ensure Nigerian stories are told and that recognizable Nigerian actors appear in global productions like this.

Nigerian billionaires, such as Femi Otedola, Tony Elumelu, Aliko Dangote, Folorunsho Alakija, Mike Adenuga, and Abdulsamad Rabiu, could also invest in movie financing, from script development to production.

Hollywood is one of America’s greatest exports, projecting its image globally while generating immense profits. If Nigerians don’t invest in telling their own stories, no one else will.