David Oyelowo to play Othello opposite Spectre’s Daniel Craig

Oyelowo is no stranger to Shakespeare

Oyelowo says: 'UK films are told through the eyes of white characters, by white directors, with a white point of view' (Rex Features)

Having said he’d “rather slash his wrists” than play Bond again, Daniel Craig is indeed going in the opposite direction for his next project, putting action movies aside to play Iago on the stage in Othello.

David Oyelowo will play the titular Venetian general in the Shakespearean play, Craig his trusted but unfaithful ensign.

Othello will be an Off Broadway production, directed by Tony winner Sam Gold.

Craig previously featured in the 2013 revival of Betrayal on Broadway, and in 2009 appeared in A Steady Rain alongside Hugh Jackman.

Moody looking Craig donning sunglasses

Oyelowo is no stranger to Shakespeare, having started his career at the Royal Shakespeare Company, going on to play King Henry VI.

Benedict Cumberbatch is the most recent Hollywood star to take on one of the Bard’s plays, starring in a well-received production of Hamlet at the Barbican.

“I’d rather break this glass and slash my wrists [than do another Bond film],” Craig recently told Time Out.

“No, not at the moment. Not at all. That’s fine. I’m over it at the moment. We’re done, all I want to do is move on,” he said, adding that if he was tempted to return, it would “only be for the money”.