'I am the new James Bond' - David Oyelowo

David Oyelowo
David Oyelowo

According to the Guardian UK, Movie star David Oyelowo will portray James Bond  "007" and other characters in a recording of "Trigger Mortis", a new Bond novel by Anthony Horowitz

David Oyelowo becomes the first black actor to portray James Bond (in audiobook form)

Oyelowo was previously the first black actor to play an English king in a major Shakespeare production, after his role as Henry VI.

Oyelowo, centre, as Martin Luther King in Selma
Oyelowo, centre, as Martin Luther King in Selma. Photograph: Paramount/Everett Collection

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.” Said David Oyelowo 

Although his performance will be heard rather than seen – in an audio book – it is a landmark casting as it involves an official Bond book and a direct invitation from the estate of 007’s creator, Ian Fleming.

In a statement, Horowitz said: “What an honour to have an actor as talented as David to read my take on Bond. He has a brilliant voice and talent for bringing out the nuances of dialogue and characters.”

The audiobook version of Trigger Mortis will be released on 8 September, along with hardback and ebook editions.