Over a decade in the making, Idris Elba as James Bond might come to fruition
With Daniel Craig’s last run in No Time to Die, there are casting rumors that we might see British actor Idris Elba as James Bond. Elba, 49, had his name recently pop up in a Deadline podcast that featured 007 producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
Craig has played the British MI6 secret agent since 2006’s Casino Royale and was categorized as the “First Blonde Bond”. If we remember correctly, Craig himself stated that it was time for a Black 007 agent back in 2008 after President Barack Obama had won his campaign. Since then, the search for the next James Bond was already on the hunt.
Hints for Idris Elba as James Bond began shortly after his gain in popularity following his outstanding work in the 2009 American psychological thriller Obsessed, where he starred alongside Beyoncé, as well as in HBO’s The Wire where he portrayed Russell “Stringer” Bell between 2002 and 2004. He has also made appearances in the American version of The Office.
“Who wouldn’t like to play Bond?,” Elba responded when asked the question back in 2009. “Do I think it will happen? No, but I’ve got what it takes to do it. I can run around, flirt with ladies and drink. Plus I’m English.” Fast forward to the present, there’s no better time than now for Elba to shine as the “First Black Bond”. With that said, Elba isn’t too fond of the “First Black Bond” label, as he has noted before that “Sean Connery wasn’t the Scottish James Bond.”
Even with fans and critics against the idea, there’s a general consensus that Idris Elba as James Bond would be the most perfect fit. In the Deadline podcast, producer Barbara Broccoli hinted at other possibilities for the next Bond picture, including the possibility of a 007 spinoff, a future female director, and most notably, Idris Elba as the next James Bond. Check out the full conversation below.