Idris Elba, David Oyelowo to star in ‘Things Fall Apart’
In an exciting new development, Idris Elba and David Oyelowo are set to produce a screen adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s seminal novel Things Fall Apart, marking a major collaboration between the two Hollywood stars and producers. The exclusive news was revealed by *Variety* magazine, confirming that the iconic Nigerian novel, widely regarded as a masterpiece of African literature, is headed for a major screen adaptation.
https://x.com/FilmUpdates/status/1839363710953120105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1839363710953120105%7Ctwgr%5E4bfef5349027043705b68ca59cbb8e9b319bc873%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpulsembed.eu%2Fp2em%2Fz_HNvEhNJ%2F
While no screenwriter has been attached to the project yet, the production is set to be spearheaded by Elba and Oyelowo’s production companies. Elba will serve as executive producer through his recently launched 22Summers production banner, along with his producing partner Gina Carter. Oyelowo, in collaboration with Amanda N’Duka, will executive produce via their Yoruba Saxon company. Additional executive producers include Ben Forkner, Dayo Ogunyemi, and the Achebe Masterworks team, ensuring the involvement of Achebe’s estate in overseeing the adaptation. A24, the acclaimed studio behind *Moonlight* and *Everything Everywhere All at Once*, is the lead studio for the project.
The official logline of the series gives fans an intriguing glimpse of what to expect: *Things Fall Apart* follows the story of Okonkwo, a fearless African warrior and leader (played by Idris Elba), whose world is upended by the arrival of British colonizers. Okonkwo’s efforts to preserve his power, authority, and cultural traditions in the face of colonial interference become a heartbreaking tale of strength, vulnerability, and the struggle to adapt to rapid change.
Elba, already a powerhouse actor and producer, brings star power to the adaptation. His recent Emmy nomination for the Apple TV+ series *Hijack* cements his role as a leading talent in the industry. Elba has also earned widespread acclaim for his performances in films such as *Beasts of No Nation*, *Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom*, and the Netflix western *The Harder They Fall*. In addition to his acting career, Elba has been making waves as a producer, and earlier this year, he teamed up with media mogul Mo Abudu for the film *Dust to Dreams*, further showcasing his interest in producing stories from the African diaspora.
David Oyelowo, known for his powerful roles in films like *Selma* and *A United Kingdom*, is also a formidable producer. Yoruba Saxon, his production company, recently wrapped production on *Lawmen: Bass Reeves*, a Paramount+ series in which Oyelowo stars as the legendary lawman Bass Reeves. Yoruba Saxon has also been behind other notable projects such as *The Water Man*, *The After*, and *Ferguson Rising*, a documentary that chronicles the unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, following the killing of Michael Brown.
This collaboration promises to be an epic retelling of Achebe’s classic novel, with two of Hollywood’s most talented actors and producers at the helm. With *Things Fall Apart* now in the hands of A24 and such a powerful creative team, audiences can expect a visually stunning, emotionally gripping adaptation that honors Achebe’s legacy.
