From Selma to Superspy: David Oyelowo To Voice James Bond In New Audiobook

Selma star David Oyelowo has signed on to play the part of James Bond--for an audiobook. The Guardian reported Thursday that Oyelowo will play Bond, in addition to other characters, in the audio recording of Anthony Horowitz's Trigger Mortis, a new literary work commissioned by the estate of franchise creator Ian Fleming. “I am officially the only person on planet Earth who can legitimately say: ‘I am the new James Bond,’" Oyelowo told the British paper "even saying that name is the cinematic equivalent of doing the ‘to be or not to be’ speech.” The Nigerian-English actor noted that he was specifically asked to take up the role by the Fleming estate, "which is special."

Oyelowo also spoke with The Guardian at length about the continuing struggle of black thespians to secure roles traditionally doled out to caucasians. He spoke of being ridiculed on account of his casting as the titular character in Shakespeare's Henry VI and receiving hate mail, despite his brilliant performances. "Part of the problem lies in the disproportionate number of negative roles that are offered to black actors," The Guardian wrote. "Oyelowo is disturbed by the focus on white protagonists within dramas. He said: “It’s how few times we get to be the protagonist ... and how few times the world is seen through our eyes.”

And so now, months after all the Idris Elba drama finally settled, it seems the world is finally getting its first "Black Bond"--just not on the big screen, at least not just yet. But with recent news that Daniel Craig has signed a contract to star in just one more Bond film after 2015's Spectre, it's possible that things could soon get shaken (not stirred).