"Selma" actor David Oyelowo is taking on the role of James Bond. One small issue: you won't be able to see him. Oyelowo is narrating the character in the audio book for the newest Bond novel, Trigger Mortis, written by Anthony Horowitz.
The estate of Ian Fleming, the author who originated Bond, commissioned Oyewolo to play Bond and other characters in the audio book. "What an honour to have an actor as talented as David to read my take on Bond," Horowitz told The Guardian. "He has a brilliant voice and talent for bringing out the nuances of dialogue and characters."
The news might come as a shock to some Idris Elba fans, who was rumored to be taking on the role next. For the record, Oyelowo wouldn't be the first black man to voice Bond: In 2012, Hugh Quarshie read the classic Dr. No, which was the first Bond novel adapted for film in 1962 in the UK and following year in the US.
Still, Oyelowo is excited to portray Bond. "I am officially the only person on planet Earth who can legitimately say: 'I am the new James Bond'" Oyelowo told The Guardian. "Even saying that name is the cinematic equivalent of doing the ‘to be or not to be’ speech."
Looks like we have our black Bond for now.
H/T: The Guardian
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