New James Bond Writer Says Idris Elba Is ‘Too Street’ to Be 007
Anthony Horowitz, author of the upcoming James Bond novel Trigger Mortis, told the Daily Mail that he believes that fan-favorite to pick up where Daniel Craig leaves off, Idris Elba, is “too street,” to play the super spy.
“Idris Elba is a terrific actor, but I can think of other black actors who would do it better,” says Horowitz. He names Adrian Lester, who starred in long-running BBC drama, Hustle.
“For me, Idris Elba is a bit too rough to play the part,” Horowitz continues. “It’s not a color issue. I think he is probably a bit too ‘street’ for Bond. Is it a question of being suave? Yeah.”
Not that Horowitz has much say in the matter. The Daily Mail notes “Horowitz can be this frank because the films are owned by Eon Productions and are nothing to do with his employers at the Fleming estate, which controls the rights to the books.”
This isn’t the first time that Elba’s candidacy for the role has been questioned. Roger Moore said in March that Idris wasn’t “English-English” and therefore should be out of the running.
“A few years ago, I said that Cuba Gooding Jr. would make an excellent Bond, but it was a joke!” said Sir Roger. “Although James may have been played by a Scot, a Welshman and an Irishman, I think he should be ‘English-English’. Nevertheless, it’s an interesting idea, but unrealistic.”
Even Rush Limbaugh was down on the idea. Last year, the über conservative radio host scoffed at the idea that Bond could even be black.
This being said, there are plenty more people in Idris’s corner than not. Pierce Brosnan, who was Bond from 1995 to 2002, says Elba would be a great 007.
“Let’s start with a great black actor being James Bond,” Brosnan told Details. “Idris Elba certainly has the physicality, the charisma, the presence. But I think Daniel [Craig] will be there for a while yet.”
In that same article, Brosnan also said that he didn’t think James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli “would allow a gay Bond to happen in her lifetime.”
All this being said, Elba’s rather bearish on his chances.
“If I were the Bond producers and everyone was pointing me toward one actor, what’s the surprise in that?” Idris told Maxim in their cover story. “Honestly, it’s one of those things that if it should happen, it would be a self-fulfilling prophecy; it would be the will of a nation.”
About author
You might also like
Trump’s Administration Announces Global Mission To Decriminalize Homosexuality And The News Is Greeted With Skepticism
On Tuesday morning, NBC News reported that the Trump administration will seek to decriminalize homosexuality in “dozens of nations,” citing unnamed U.S. officials. But LGBT and human rights groups largely
Actor Kevin Hart Says He’s Too Insecure To Ever Play A Gay Character
“I can’t [play a gay character] because I don’t think I’m really going to dive into that role 100 percent, because of the insecurities about myself trying to play that
What The Christian Pastor Promises To Do If His Children Are Gay
Originally published on gaystarnews.com A Christian pastor in North Carolina has been amazed by the reaction to one of his recent blog postings, in which he wrote about what his
27 Comments
Max
September 02, 07:39Yeah I concur, he’s too “street”.
We need someone more suave like he said.
He shld stick with his usual roles.
Pink Panther
September 02, 07:46What ‘usual’ roles are those?
Max
September 02, 07:58The tough macho guy role he always gets. His best performances for me so far are Pacific Rim and Thor..
James Bond is in a league of its own. I don’t know how to explain it, but all the actors so far have one thing in common.
Pink Panther
September 02, 08:06Try. Tell me what this thing in common they have. And then proceed to tell me how much different Idris is from Daniel Craig.
Max
September 02, 08:20Oh pls, don’t bring the Daniel Craig argument here. He was hardly a bond. I’m talking about the other Bonds before him.
Pink Panther
September 02, 08:26And yet, he played a perfect Bond.
james bruno
September 02, 07:48lol. as if “suave” could ever describe craig’s bond.
Pink Panther
September 02, 07:55LOL! Help me tell them o, james. Daniel Craig was white-man-street abeg.
Dennis Macaulay
September 02, 08:08I am not big on Elba but when Daniel Craig was selected I thought he was too macho and too “gra gra” for the role but somehow they stuck to their guns.
Except they are afraid to mention Elba’s skin color, if they can cast Craig, I don’t see why they cannot cast Elba
JArch
September 02, 08:27Somebody’s boo isn’t too happy about this opinion *side eyeing that PERSON*
Where’s Deola and Chestnut??? I’ve got some nice Turkish tea and mayo sandwich.
Pink Panther
September 02, 08:34Warrayu going on about, JArch?
JArch
September 02, 08:49Did I mention someborri’s name?
But in a way I kinda see Horowitz’s POV. However I wasn’t a big fan of Craig when he first stepped on the Bond scene, but Eons productions cleaned him up nicely after Casino Royale and then boom Quantum of Solace brought out the bond in him.
If Eons can do that with Craig, then Elba shouldn’t be a problem. But the wahala is that Elba isn’t easy on the eyes. There’s no softness in his eyes. Which is what all Bond stars have in common from Roger Moore to Sean Connery to Daniel Craig. Elba is too wide eyed, that you can almost predict what he’s thinking which isn’t the way a Bond is supposed to be.
Meanwhile Horowitz has apologized for his statement: http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-34119134
ambivalentone
September 02, 08:34I’ll google this writer later but I’m not crossing my fingers he’s not white AND racist to boot.
Pink Panther
September 02, 08:39Hehehehee. Trys, leave am. Let him be using ‘street’ to shadow his true opinion.
Sinnex
September 02, 08:42That my friend is the bitter truth.
Besides, do people still watch James Bond movies?
I think the recent versions are over hyped and totally boring. Especially the most recent one.
Pink Panther
September 02, 08:47Oh Sinnex… *shaking my head* You really do watch just AIT, don’t you? Daniel Craig has been a moneymaker for the Bond franchise ever since he took on the role. Dude has been trying to get out of his contract but the movie bosses have been adamant for him to finish it up becos of the money he’s been making for them. So yes, darling, people DO still watch the James Bond movies.
Peak
September 02, 08:56The writer is just spitting nothing but complete hogwash. If Craig could be cast, I see no reason why idris can’t get the role. As far as I’m concerned, idris is the black man’s version of Daniel Craig. When talks about a black bond was raised in the past, Will Smith is the one guy that always came to mind, but after craig, the gate was thrown wide open.
The word “street” is a white man’s politically correct way of saying Black! Long story short, he is saying Idris is too black for the role.
keredim
September 02, 09:46When I first saw this story last night, I knew my favourite Pimp would be ejaculating flames this morning.
Like Peak said, “Street” = “Black” in this context. ( @JArch I despair that you can’t see that)
In recent years every time an incumbent Bond, comes up for renewal, the media hawk one token black actor as a potential replacement. Colin Salmon has been considered a few times. (He also appeared in some Bond films as a member of the Bond team).
This time the media have suggested Idris Elba and David Oyelowo.
Bottom line is the world is not ready for a black Bond. Well not until we get a really bad one then agree to have a black one. Kinda like when the US transitioned from Dubya to Barack.
Besides we can’t have two black people in lead roles in the franchise. They have already given us a Black Moneypenny.
Personally, I think Meryl Streep should be the next Bond. That way the Bond franchise will win its first acting Oscar
JArch
September 02, 10:03It’s all semantics Kere… Yes his choice of words weren’t palatable. But c’mon in all fairness, Idris would never have made a good bond.
Roger Moore said he was kidding about Cuba Gooding Jnr but truly he was on the mark, however Cuba is American and his stoic/serious facial expression is somewhat comical.
Though someone along along similar lines in terms of facial expressions and better suave than Cuba Gooding would be better.
Chiwetel Ejiofor would have been nice but I doubt he’d want to trim that his afro and beards simply to land the coverted Bond role. But he’s easy on the eyes atleast.
Is Naomi Harris renewing her contract as MoneyPenny in Spectre? I thought she only signed up for Skyfall alone. Cos I remember it was said that it was a last minute decisions for her to become MoneyPenny.
Keredim
September 02, 11:23Fans are not yet ready for a black Bond. So let’s not waste time considering any black actors.
Yes Ms Harris is in Spectre.
Lothario
September 02, 10:51Your last paragraph killed me…. Lmao!
Pink Panther
September 02, 10:54Your favorite pimp, eh Keredim? *glowering*
Keredim
September 02, 12:05No vex, this week’s envelope will be with you tomorrow lunch time ???
Tonye
September 02, 12:33………….and Queen Eliza as the next bond girl! **Books ticket for that epic premier**! And if they dont win an Oscar eh, watch me join ISIS nd invade d Academy!
On this issue, if Daniel Omo Craig can play a James Bond **Pukes in disgust @ d thought of all those wasted Bond Movie since he came in**, anybody, I mean……. Anybody can be a Bond! Even Pete Edochie or Aki nd Pawpaw!!
keredim
September 02, 14:01Queen Eliza has already been a Bond Girl….Did you miss the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony?
Ruby
September 02, 10:08Meryl Streep?????
Nice Choice!
Lothario
September 02, 10:49You obviously are a stranger to sarcasm…. Lol