| Rise of the Planet of the Apes actor David Oyelowo is set to play the iconic role of 007 in a recording of a new audiobook by Trigger Mortis. The 39 year old British actor became the first black man to play 007, beating hot favourite Idris Elba. “I am officially the only person on planet Earth who can legitimately say, ‘I am the new James Bond.’ Oyelowo said. "Even saying that name is the cinematic equivalent of doing the ‘to be or not to be’ speech.” “I was asked specifically by the Fleming estate, which is really special,” he added. Oyelowo is perhaps best known for taking on the role of Martin Luther King Jr in the recent biopic Selma - a part that earned him considerable critical acclaim. Fellow English actor Idris Elba is still favourite to land the next screen role playing the martini swilling hero. A casting decision that Oyelowo championed “[Elba is] a titan on screen, he has all the qualities that you’d want in a James Bond," Oyelowo said. "Because films and TV affect culture, a black Bond would be a cultural event. A statement... beyond just entertainment.” Daniel Craig has signed on to one more Bond movie after this years Spectre, but we're sure that won't stop the rumour mill churning. |