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Tag: David Oyelowo

  • Idris Elba Loses Title Of ‘Black James Bond’ To British-Nigerian Actor David Oyelowo

    James Bond has found its new actor — well, kind of.

    For months, rumors circulated that Idris Elba would play the first black James Bond, replacing actor Daniel Craig.

    However, Elba denied all the rumors. He may have disqualified himself by saying he is a little too old to be playing James Bond.

    Well, now there’s another James Bond. The lucky guy is British-Nigerian actor David Oyelowo.

    Oyelowo was chosen by the Ian Fleming estate to lend his voice for the audio version of the new James Bond book, Trigger Mortis, written by Anthony Horowitz.

    Though Oyelowo was not chosen to play Bond on the big screen, he still is honored to portray the character in an audio book. He said, “I am officially the only person on planet Earth who can legitimately say: ‘I am the new James Bond’ – even saying that name is the cinematic equivalent of doing the ‘to be or not to be’ speech.”

    The casting, of course, was not without issues about race since the iconic character has been white for years.  Years ago, Oyelowo experienced ridicule and hate mail when he portrayed Henry VI (a traditionally white character). Despite the hate, Oyelowo says he is determined to move forward and face the challenges that come with the project.

    He even shared his thoughts on Elba playing the role on screen. “He has all the qualities that you’d want in a James Bond. Because films and TV affect culture, a black Bond would be a cultural event … a statement … beyond just entertainment,” Oyelowo said.

    Even though Oyelowo will not be seen as James Bond (only heard), the move was still considered a great “progress” when it comes to casting black actors. Hugh Quarshie, in 2012, was chosen to voice for another 007 book, Dr. No.

  • Kate Mara, David Oyelowo to Star in ‘Captive’

    Kate Mara of House of Cards fame and Selma star David Oyelowo are set to star in an upcoming true crime thriller called Captive. The film tells the story of a man–Brian Nichols–who escapes police custody and holds a woman captive in her own home. He murdered four people.

    Ashley Smith is a young mom who wrote a book about this real-life experience, called Unlikely Angel: The Untold Story Of The Atlanta Hostage Hero. Kate Mara will portray her in Captive. David Oyelowo stars as the escapee who holds her captive. Smith reportedly calmed her captor by sharing the book, A Purpose Driven Life, with him.

    Smith was struggling with addiction at the time Brian Nichols held her captive, and used some of the lessons she adapted in her fight with addiction to calm him.

    In addition to playing the role of reporter Zoe Barnes on House of Cards for one season, Kate Mara recently starred in sci-fi thriller Transcendence alongside Johnny Depp. She also starred in the reboot of the Fantastic Four.

    Paramount has recently secured the worldwide distribution rights for Captive. This means the film is headed to the big screen. Fans can look forward to seeing Kate Mara and David Oyelowo in Captive when it premieres on September 18th.

  • Jennifer Aniston Tells Ellen DeGeneres, “I’m the No. 1 Snubbed”

    Jennifer Aniston visited with talk show host Ellen DeGeneres this afternoon, and while there told her, “I’m the No. 1 snubbed!”

    The Friends star joked about her Oscar snub for her role in the upcoming film Cake.

    “That’s the silver lining, right?” she asked Ellen of her self-named title.

    Jennifer Aniston did express her enthusiasm over the fact that Cake has attracted a great deal of attention prior to its release.

    “That’s the crazy thing!” she said. “We’re so shocked and amazed that we have had this much love at all.”

    Jennifer Aniston certainly wasn’t the only person snubbed at the announcement of the Oscar nominees. Selma star David Oyelowo wasn’t nominated in the Best Actor category. Many expected to see him there opposite Aniston for Best Actress.

    In addition, The Lego Movie was snubbed for Best Animated Feature, and even Angela Jolie didn’t get a nod for her work directing Unbroken.

    Jennifer Aniston has always had a remarkably strong spine and a great sense of humor. This latest snub will no doubt go the way of so many of the incidents in her past that once bothered her. After all, who really cares if Cake earns her an Oscar if the film itself winds up being wildly successful? Okay, so that may be expecting too much of the snubbed actress.

    Fortunately Jen had Ellen DeGeneres to chat with about her big disappointment. And if Ellen can’t make someone feel better–who can?