David Oyelowo: ‘The Ryan Goslings get to break earlier than black actors do’

You may know David Oyelowo by his regal bearing: as Henry VI in the RSC’s 2001 production of Shakespeare’s trilogy; as Martin Luther King Jr in Selma; as Bechuanaland prince Seretse Khama in A United Kingdom, and even as himself, scion of the Oyelowos, a royal family in western Nigeria.

In his new film, however, the 41-year-old British actor is switching it up. “I was looking for something on the lighter side, having done a fair bit of dramatic work,” he says of Gringo, a south-of-the-border cartel caper. “I have a goofy side I realised that the audience hasn’t yet seen. That’s partly why I wanted to do it.”

Gringo tells the story of Harold Soyinka, a good-natured, downtrodden suburban cuckold, who is sent to Mexico as a patsy for his scamming corporate bosses, played with relish by Joel Edgerton and Charlize Theron. Oyelowo didn’t initially seem like a fit for the starring role. He explains: “He was written as Harold Salinger and he was definitely a white guy living in Chicago.” Thus, Oyelowo’s involvement began as a slightly awkward conversation with the director, Nash Edgerton, elder brother of Joel. “I sat down with him and asked: ‘Have you ever thought of a black person in this role?’ And he said: ‘Actually, I haven’t … I’m ashamed to admit that … It’s because I’m a white guy, so I just saw him as a white guy.’”

Source: theguardian