In 2008, Daniel Craig made a comment at the Italian premiere of Quantum of Solace that sparked an over a decade-long rumour. He remarked that Barack Obama’s presidential victory suggested we had reached the time for a Black Bond. Fans took this and decided that he must be referring to a real attempt to cast a black actor in the historically white role.
Eventually, the rumor mill settled on Idris Elba as the ideal actor for this theoretical project. Elba is finally speaking up about this persistent gossip.
Elba & Bond
“It was never legit. It was always just a rumour,” Elba told British GQ. “I’ve always felt that it’s not a realistic thing. James Bond was written how he was written for a reason. But I was complimented by it. And also, I think, in realistic terms, some markets just don’t go for that. 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.”
Elba probably isn’t hard-pressed to find ass-kicking roles outside of being 007 anyway. Even if the rumors were true, he doesn’t seem to think the concept is necessary to begin with. “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 is currently starring in the new Masters of the Universe reboot, now playing in theaters nationwide.
