Idris Elba in Luther: Fallen Sun. Credit: John Wilson/Netflix
Idris Elba is talking about Bond again. A longtime potential 007 agent, Elba spoke about the role on the SmartLess podcast hosted by actors Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett. Elba said he was pulled from the role because of «disgusting» racism and because the talk of him playing James Bond «turned to race».
Rumors that Elba will play Bond go back 15 years ago, when Daniel Craig first invited a black actor to play this role. However, Elba has long claimed that he would not want to be simply called «black James Bond».
However, the rumors persisted and Luther's star was considered the best replacement, albeit unlikely considering he is only five years younger than Craig. Now it is customary for journalists to ask him about rumors in every interview and to ask everyone connected with Bond about his prospects. «I'm probably the most famous Bond actor in the world,» Elba said in 2015, «and I haven't even played the role.» But how did Idris Elba become the most famous Bond who never wore a tuxedo? Well, at least for now…
November 2008: Daniel Craig calls for change
In an advertisement for his second film, Quantum of Solace, inspired by the election of Barack Obama, Daniel Craig said: «I think now is the right time for a black James Bond.» Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Italian premiere, Craig also said that «this opportunity will probably make Fleming roll over in his grave.» The concept has certainly upset some of the less progressive corners of the Bond fandom (which is exactly what Elba mentioned in SmartLess). Although Idris Elba was not originally named, commentators began suggesting black actors amid Craig's comments.
Daniel Craig and Idris Elba did selfie at the 2019 Golden Globes, March 2009: Elba has powers
Internet speculation grew and soon Idris Elba was named as a potential successor to Craig. In an interview with The Guardian, Elba was asked if he would like to play the role. Elba, still not tired of the question, said, «Who wouldn't want to play Bond?» He added: “Do I think it will happen? No, but I have everything I need for this. I can run around, flirt with ladies and drink. Plus I'm English.»
April 2010: «No more being a black James Bond»
Elba has said for more than a decade that he does not want to be selected because of race. “There were rumors, but nothing reliable,” he told The Daily Mail. “Of course, that would be a huge compliment. But I wouldn't be interested if they just decided it was time for a black James Bond. I can do without the «black James Bond» label. They called me black George Clooney and black Brad Pitt; they didn't call Daniel Craig blond Will Smith. I just want to get up in the morning and continue being Idris.”
September 2011: Already old news
In the US, to promote Luther, Elba spoke to NPR and repeated that «if I play him, I don't want to be called the black James Bond.» He also called it a «very old rumor» — naive given the fact that he will spend another 12 years (counting) answering questions about Bond. Although Elba also said that he would «definitely think about it.» When asked what he would do if Sony sent a taxi to take him to a meeting with Bond, Elba replied more in the spirit of 007. “Not only would I get into the cab,” he said, “I would also pull the taxi driver out of the car , hostage… would jump out on the move, jump on the pedal bike, the door, how I climbed on it, and then I get on the plane — on the wing — I land on the roof of Sony Studios, I slip through the air conditioner and I land in the office. p>October 2012: Miss Moneypenny slips away
Leading up to Bond's 50th anniversary adventure, Skyfall, Moneypenny actress Naomie Harris made a bombshell. Harris, who played Winnie Mandela for Elba's Nelson in the 2013 film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, confirmed that Elba had previously dated Bond producers. «I didn't know there was this conversation,» Harris told The Huffington Post, «and then I made a movie with Idris and he said he was dating Barbara Broccoli and that there seemed to be a possibility in the future that it could very well be black.» James Bond.
Idris Elba with Miss Moneypenny actress and Mandela co-star Naomie Harris Photo: Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Weinstein Co., March 2013: «Daniel Craig pushed me into it»
In an interview with GQ, Elba tried to avoid the question («What is there to talk about?» he said. «It's a rumor»). Although he could deviate to stay in the race for the role of Bond. “I have to tell you, if the producers of Bond thought I was doing self-promotion, it would be very unpleasant,” he said. “Of course I’m flattered, but I was advised to just keep quiet about it. Apparently Daniel Craig said I would be a great Bond. Daniel, why did you say that? I hit the spot!”
December 2014: Sony hack confirms it's a contestant
There has been a year of hesitant responses to this question. In January 2014, Elba told Lorraine Kelly that «there's no truth in that,» although in September, on an «Ask Me Anything» session on Reddit, he was again asked if he would play the part and replied, «Yes , if it was offered absolutely me.'
Isn't 007 supposed to be handsome? Glad you think I have a chance! Happy New Year people. pic.twitter.com/3g9lAl2Uo3
— Idris Elba (@idriselba), December 27, 2014
After the infamous Sony Pictures (Bond's distributor at the time) hack, it became more than just a rumor. In an email from Amy Pascal, then Sony co-chairman, Elizabeth Cantillon of Columbia Pictures, Pascal wrote, «Idris should be the next Bond.» American viewers.
Later that month, Elba posted one of several teasers on social media — a funny face selfie and the line «Shouldn't 007 [be] handsome? Glad you think I have a chance!» The depressing fact is that Elba's face looked better than 99 percent of men.
March 2015: Roger Moore's racism controversy
Former Bond actor Roger Moore became embroiled in controversy after an interview he gave to a French news magazine . Paris match.
Moore, then aged 87, said: “A few years ago I said that Cuba Gooding Jr. could be a great Bond, but that was a joke! Although James could have been played by a Scot, a Welsh and an Irishman, I think he should be «English-English». Still, it's an interesting idea, but unrealistic.»
In an interview I did with Paris Match, it is implied that I said something racist about Idris Elba. This is simply not true. #Lost in translation.
— Sir Roger Moore (Legacy) (@sirrogermoore) March 28, 2015
It was framed as if Sir Roger had made comments about Elba that Moore denied on Twitter. “The interview I did with Paris Match implies that I said something racist about Idris Elba. This is simply not true. #Lost in translation.» Moore replied to another Twitter user: «When a journalist asks if 'Bond' should be English» and you agree, and then quotes you saying about Idris Elba [sic], it's taken out of context.»
December 2015: «Can we not?»
Apparently tired of answering questions on the topic, Idris answered further jokes on this topic. Asked for an interview by the Telegraph: «Can we talk about the media obsession with you playing James Bond?» his reply was stern: «Can't we?» He added: “Because I feel like I'm campaigning and I'm not. It was harmless at first — oh I know, wouldn't that be great? – and now the racial debate has begun. I'm probably the most famous Bond actor in the world, and I haven't even played the role. Enough means enough. I can't talk about it anymore.»
May 2016: Bond(s) return to Idris
Former 007 agent George Lazenby gave his endorsement at a gala in Los Angeles. Lazenby, the star of On Her Majesty's Secret Service, was asked about the possibility of a black actor in the role. «It's beyond me,» Lazenby said. “I mean, why not? This is what I said. But, on the other hand, many people will scratch their heads: «James Bond was not black.» Asked specifically about Elbe, Lazenby replied: “Why not? It would be a good idea.» He is not the only former Bond supporting Elba.
Pierce Brosnan was asked last year if Elba would make a good Bond. «Yeah, actually he would,» Brosnan said (although he's unlikely to refuse). Bond henchman Dave Bautista also backed Elba: «I think that would be really, really great, I love Idris,» while M himself, Ralph Fiennes, diplomatically replied, «He'd be great,» when asked by Lorraine Kelly.
August 2018: My name is Elba, Idris ElbaDespite repeated claims that he will not play Bond, Elba released the mother of all teasers on social media: a selfie with the words «My name is Elba, Idris Elba». A few hours later he added: «Don't believe the hype…»
My name is Elba, Idris Elba. pic.twitter.com/kEyyaVg8JX
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) August 12, 2018
A week later, at the premiere of Elba's directorial debut The Yardies, a Good Morning Britain reporter offered Elba a vodka martini. on the red carpet. «Do you like shaking or stirring?» the reporter asked. “Uh, actually fried stir fries,” he joked brilliantly. When asked if he would be the next 007, Elba told the reporter a resounding no.
January 2019 Embarrassing selfie
Elba returned to normal at the 2019 Golden Globes when he posted a selfie with Bond acting Daniel Craig. “Oh,” Elba wrote. We can only imagine that Elba spent the rest of the evening looking at Craig from across the room and running her finger down his throat in mock menace.
March 2019: «Can you play James Bond?»
Elba appeared as a guest host on Saturday Night Live and took part in a game show sketch titled «Can I Play This?» The idea was that the trio of actors had to answer questions about the types of roles they were allowed to play based on public opinion on Twitter. At the end of the sketch, Kenan Thompson asked, «Can you play James Bond?» Elba's character replied, «Hey, I know the answer to that question.» To which Thompson replied, “And you?”
March 2019: '
Elba was interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter later that month. He said that he was never formally approached and this is not necessarily a career move he would like to make. He also wrote off the «Elba, Idris Elba» tweet as a joke. “I messed around a bit,” said Elba. “But I also reminded people that I was never called James Bond. So I'm like, hi, my name is Elba. Idris Elba. It was a joke. I swear to God.”
January 2022: Barbara Broccoli speaks
Longtime Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, who has overseen the Bond film series since 1995's Goldeneye, has long been credited with helping the film series keep pace with the times. Broccoli has previously said that Bond can be of any nationality as long as the actor is British. Broccoli later told Variety, «We love Idris.» But she also warned about how big Bond's commitment is. “The thing is, [the next Bond] will be in a couple of years. And when we choose Bond, it's a 10-12 year commitment. So he is probably thinking, “Do I really want this thing? Not everyone wants to do it. It was hard enough getting [Daniel Craig to do it].» The suggestion, perhaps, is that at 50, Elba may have missed the moment. Can't he just perform George Lazenby style?
September 2022: The Will of the Nation.
During an appearance on the American talk show The Shop, Elba reiterated that this was not the case. it's a priority, but people all over the world want him to be Bond.
“That is not my career goal,” he said. “I don't think playing Bond will satisfy some of my personal goals. This will surely satisfy the will of the nation. I'm not going to lie, I go to every corner of the world and I'm talking about different cultures, they always say «Bond». And I feel like it's above me at this crossroads. That beats me. The question is not whether I should, whether I will. This is what the will of the nation sometimes dictates.”
He also said that a conversation that introduces him as an «alternative Bond» is good for opening up the casting and taking the blinders off. In that case, Elba said, «great, talk about me all day.»
March 2023: Hanks supports him
Eliminating himself from the role of Bond at the Dubai Summit («I'm going to be John Luther,» he said. «That's who I am»), Elba found support from Hollywood's most beloved man: Tom Hanks. Speaking to BBC News about his new novel, Hanks said: «Look, James Bond has a license to kill. I would only issue this license to Idris Elba on the basis of the work I have seen.” However, in his Netflix film Luther: Fallen Sun, Elba's character categorically refuses a martini offer — screenwriter Neil Cross called the «outstretched middle finger and wink» of Bond rumors.
June 2023: 'Disgusting' racism repels him
On the SmartLess podcast, Elba had the final word on the matter. The issue of race seems to have overshadowed what could have been a great choice of actors for the most iconic role in cinema.
“The truth is that I have been praised for a very long time about this,” Elba said. . “James Bond… We are all actors and we understand this role. It's one of those coveted [roles]. When you were asked to be James Bond, it was like, «Okay, you've kind of reached the top.» It's one of those things that the whole world votes on. In fact, it was a huge compliment that all corners of the world, except for a few, which we will not talk about, were really happy with the idea that I could be considered. Those who were not enthusiastic about this idea made it all disgusting and repulsive because it was about race. It became bullshit and I got the brunt of it.”
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