Idris Elba rules out playing James Bond, cites audience limits
Idris Elba told GQ he will not play James Bond, saying the rumors "were never legit" and that some markets "won't go for a Black male" in the role. Elba, long tipped as a successor to Daniel Craig, added "Bond was written how he was written for a reason" and urged producers "don't make Bond WOKE." His refusal closes the door on a high-profile Black candidate for 007 and underscores how studios weigh global audience tastes when casting major franchise leads.
Idris Elba says audiences would never accept a black actor playing James Bond: ‘That’s not what they like in their culture’
Wren Walker44Idris Elba would make a wonderful and classy James Bond and now I want to see it..💜🍸
PinkTweets19I would accept Idris Elba in anything!
Left of the Dial15Could a non-white actor play Bond? Absolutely. Would the response from certain people be a frothing insanity, probably beyond anything we've seen before? Absolutely. And for that reason, no studio will ever have the guts to do it.
👣Coca👣 🇺🇦 🇪🇺7I like Idris but getting on a bit to play Bond .... what about a young woman black actor....
@Childfreelife☮️♀️6I think Idris Elba is the only actor who comes to mind in this day and age when I think of the new Bond. He's a perfect fit.
Collapse Laughs5He would make an awesome Bond. But he's right there are too many baby back bitch boys out there who would throw a hissiefit.
happylittlevisit.bsky.social5What about a new 00 designation? With brand new story lines?
Fabienne4I have zero trouble with it. As long as an actor is right for a part, we all benefit! I can definitely see Me. Elba in that role. 🎥
jpkearney.bsky.social4Aye, and Daniel Craig could be the next John Shaft?
Paul Fernandez3James Bond is not fundamentally a nice guy. It was only at the end of "No Time to Die" that I would say he came across as heroic - partly because it felt like for the first time in the canon, he sacrificed rather than indulging himself.
AxeDame3Then make one just for the rest of us, Idris
Peregrine Guitars3No problem with black people, but bonds should be in his thirties.
I have one…2I would became a fan of James Bond if that were to happen!
wright60377824.bsky.social2His thoughts on being “woke” are unfortunate! But I guess this is what happens when you start accepting trinkets from a racist royal family on behalf of the British empire 🤷🏾♀️
Leslie Boulay2I think he is a bit old for James Bond. But he will be perfect for King Arthur :P
Stoneheft2So... Do it in 'white face'!
H.2He's too old, not too black!
Marcus Wellington-Boot2Surely a black man would be the best version of James Bond because nobody would believe he's the famous spy, what with him being black and all...
Almightrex2I think sadly he's right
Kitt 🌟 Stargazer2I mean... James Bond isn't the only 00 Agent, he could literally just be his own 00 Agent, maybe the one that becomes Bond Successor. He doesn't have to be a hand me down character, but a well crafted and created new 00 Agent to help bring new life into the franchise.
So tired of this concern. The thing is, Bond is in no danger of being woke. He’s a straight white dude (and will, I’ll wager, remain so) who kills people (usually foreign, often disfigured) for the government. This is like taking the brave stance that clouds should not be made of ice cream.
Phil Nobile Jr.34For all the handwringing about how “woke” Craig’s Bond was, in five movies he had ONE villain without facial disfigurement (and that one was ostensibly ableist toward Creepy Little Guys).
useless username10Bond as a film franchise has been about his status as a misogynistic dinosaur almost as long as it hasn't. Dr. No to Goldeneye was 33 years and that film is now hitting 31
John Reid Adams4Exactly the whole point is that he is a profoundly flawed individual that’s that makes him interesting. If there’s anything the Daniel Craig era accomplished is how you can show how a toxic male character can still be interesting, compelling, and yes still a good guy in lieu of his flaws
Dani Summers (they/she/he)3The franchise had an opportunity for a so called "woke" spinoff starring Ana de Armas and missed it so hard that John Wick did it badly instead.
The funniest part of this is that Bond as a franchise is nothing BUT trying to answer the worlds taste. It's Trend Chasing: The Motion Picture. If they made a successful Bourne movie with a black lead the next Bond would absolutely be black after.
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DiscussingFilm
DiscussingFilm • 7h
Idris Elba says James Bond doesn't need to be
"woke"
...
"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...
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."
(Source: gq-magazine.co.uk/article/idris-...)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5v6zf3rl7gj2rilmg5pk2uz7/bafkreib7v6ejhwn62tg4gqllsshabthhsnxuciobafuikqmvnnoydulxl4)
Goldie_Gun2All the Craig years of Bond felt like trying to make distance away from Austin Powers, only to wrap up his Bond story by accidentally making a less funny 'Austin and Dr Evil are actually brothers' plot with no self awareness.
Matt Holland Author Dot Com2Between this, his book deal, and his shilling for AI Idris Elba has turned into such a massive disappointment
The Toronto Mans2Bond is a colonizer, he's a white man who goes to poor countries to murder people of color. At least during the Cold War you could lean into the spy stuff but now he's just a working class hitman for a government that gets more dystopian every year.
Idris Elba is addressing the James Bond rumors, and says let's not "try and make it woke"
wright60377824.bsky.social29This is what happens when you start accepting trinkets from a racist royal family on behalf of the British empire 🤷🏾♀️
Albi, The Lemon Thumper10Not disappointed OR surprised. I guess those bri'ish jokes can apply to him too
SupremeBeing5048People aren’t asking for you because of some agenda. They’re asking because you’re talented enough to elevate the character. The same goes for Batman. Whether it’s Bond or Batman, you’d bring something unique and compelling to the role.
Diogenes2He’s too old and Tom Hiddleston is a fit more like Connery.
Skrunko2What do you even meannnnnnnnnmn?
