Bond definitely back, but not necessarily black
British actor Idris Elba is downplaying calls that he should play the suave secret agent in forthcoming films
A martini - shaken not stirred- the cars, the women and larger than life villains. These are the ingredients of a classic James Bond flick, but audiences are yet to see a “black Bond.”
However, British actor Idris Elba, star of “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” is downplaying calls that he should play the suave secret agent in forthcoming films.
If he were to take on the role, Elba would join the ranks of such actors as Sean Connery, Roger Moore and, more recently, Daniel Craig. However, the actor was quick to put the rumors to rest.
“It’s a rumor that’s gotten out of control, basically - but that’s all it is,” Elba said on British TV channel ITV this week, “there’s no truth in it whatsoever.”
Although Elba’s name has been tossed around as a possible contender to carry on the Bond legacy, he expressed surprise at the consideration and the support of fans online.
“Really? James Bond? I didn’t know that was still sort of in the mix,” Elba told HuffPost Entertainment in November. “I say it all the time, but if it was to ever happen and if I was ever to get offered that role, that would be the will of a nation. That would be like, ‘Wow, human beings are really powerful. They really made that happen, because [producer Barbara Broccoli] certainly didn’t.” It would be the will of a nation because everyone has been saying that to me.”
Elba expressed chagrin at the term “black Bond” during his appearance on ITV, saying “we don’t say ‘white Bond,’ we just say ‘Bond.’ So it suddenly becomes a black man and he’s a ‘black Bond.’ So I hate that phrase.”
The next installment of the Bond series is slated for release on Nov. 6, 2015, with British actor Daniel Craig expected to reprise the role of the tech-savvy British agent. The 24th entry in the series will also see the return of “Skyfall” director Sam Mendes and writer John Logan.
