Phone message from a reliable source...

"Actually, I just had dinner with [the casting director] and she said that if the part doesn't go black that you got it. I would be murdered if you told anybody that I told you. She said you gave a great reading. She was really really pleased. You were exactly what they want. I was sworn to secrecy because she didn't want to get your hopes up if they decide to put an African American (oh hell) a black dude in the role."