...the arguments for or against Idris Elba or Chiwetel Ejiofor playing Okonkwo fail to take into account a key issue with the novel and the character of Okonkwo. When we meet Okonkwo, he was about 37 or 38 years and by the time he dies, might have been no more than 42. So, Elba and Ejiofor at 52 and 47 years respectively may well be too old to play Okonkwo
