It has been announced that David Oyelowo will portray James Bond in the audio book for upcoming 007 novel, Trigger Mortis.
Oyelowo – who is perhaps most revered for his recent performance as Martin Luther King in the Oscar-nominated biopic, Selma – is only the second black actor to ever portray Ian Fleming’s infamous gentlemen spy, following Hugh Quarshie’s voice performance in the 2012 audiobook of Dr No. Speaking of his new 007 prospects, Oyelowo said he was “very honoured.”
“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,” Oyelowo said. “I was asked specifically by the Fleming estate, which is really special.”
The novel’s author, Anthony Horowitz, also voiced his delight at Oyelowo’s casting: “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.”
Trigger Mortis is set to be released in both novel and audiobook form, on 8th September.
