Idris Elba (Prometheus, Thor) is the perfect candidate to become the next 007. He’s got swagger, he’s British, and he’s actually quite sexy. Should he accept the role – which won’t be available until after Daniel Craig completes two more Bond films – Elba would be the first non-Caucasian to play the elite MI6 spy. So how close is Elba to playing James Bond? Well according to Skyfall co-star Naomie Harris, it is pretty close.
During the press rounds for Skyfall, Harris was asked about who she would like to see play as the first black James Bond. She responded with Elba’s name and gave some interesting details to support her answer.
In an interview with the Huffington Post, the actress revealed that Elba has been meeting with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli a few times about taking the 007 mantle.
Here’s the exact quote:
I didn’t realize that there was this talk and then I did a film with Idris [Elba] and he said that he met Barbara Broccoli [James Bond producer] and that it does seem like there is a possibility in the future that there could very well be a black James Bond. And I would have to vote for Idris because I just finished working with him and he’s a great guy. [Laughs]
Frankly I don’t think it should be a possibility, I think it should be a certainty that there will be a black James Bond. But there will be those who don’t share the same idea as I do. In fact this isn’t the first time that Elba’s casting caused some unwarranted controversy. When he played the part of Heimdall, the Gatekeeper in Thor, the Council of Conservative Citizens and some comic book fans said it was wrong for a black man to play a Norse God. Of course Elba, along with many others, called the debate ridiculous. But just imagine what would happen if Elba became the first black James Bond.
But here is the interesting thing about Elba becoming the first black James Bond, Elba doesn’t see it the same way as most people would. Here’s what Elba told NPR about possibly taking role and the kind of attention it would gain because he is not Caucasian:
“I don’t want to be the black James Bond. Sean Connery wasn’t the Scottish James Bond, and Daniel Craig wasn’t the blue-eyed James Bond, so if I played him, I don’t want to be called the black James Bond.”
It’s great to see that he wants to be recognized for being James Bond – should he take the role – and not for being the first black James Bond. Honestly this says a lot about who he is and what he wants to be recognized for. If it drinks martinis, swoons women, and shoots a Walther PPK, then it probably is a James Bond. So why should skin color be that much of a problem, when it shouldn’t be one in the first place.
[Source: Huffington Post | NPR]
