Idris Elba has stated that James Bond was “written how he was written for a reason” and suggested that some international audiences would not embrace “a Black male” playing 007.
The search for the new James Bond is ongoing, with every week bringing a new name to the fore as a potential successor to Daniel Craig.
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One acclaimed actor whose name has routinely popped up over the years as a potential 007, even before Daniel Craig’s swansong with 2021’s No Time To Die, has been British thesp Idris Elba.
For years, Elba has dismissed rumours that he could be the next superspy. Now, the 53-year-old star of Luther has put all speculation to bed by arguing that James Bond should remain true to how he was originally written, and that the franchise should not stray too far from Ian Fleming’s original character.
Speaking with British GQ, Elba admitted that speculation about him playing Bond was “never legit” and that he never viewed it as a realistic possibility.
Elba stated that Bond was “written how he was written for a reason” and suggested that some international audiences would not embrace “a Black male” playing Bond.
“I think, in realistic terms, some markets just don’t go for that,” said Elba. “Bond is big all over the world. And [audiences] won’t [all] go for a Black male, an African male, playing Bond. That’s not what they like in their culture. Period.”
The actor also pushed back against efforts to reinvent Bond for modern political tastes.
“Bond is so unrealistic, so a hint of reality is good, but let’s not try and make it woke. I think you’ve got to be pure to what it is: escapism. Don’t try and answer the world’s taste. Just be Bond.”
Elba’s recent comments echo the statements he made on the SmartLess podcast, hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett. In the episode, Elba described the offer to play the role as “the pinnacle”, but added: “Those that weren’t happy about the idea made the whole thing disgusting and off-putting, because it became about race. It became about nonsense and I got the brunt of it.”
Last month, veteran casting director Nina Gold was brought on board for Amazon MGM’s reboot of the franchise, joining director Denis Villeneuve and screenwriter Steven Knight.
The actors considered frontrunners to play Bond currently include Tom Francis, Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi, Jack Lowden and Louis Partridge. The search continues.
