Once seen as a contender to become the next James Bond, UK actor Idris Elba has instead warned against a “woke” interpretation of the famous agent 007.
The Wire star also went on to say that it would be difficult for certain audiences to accept a black actor playing the MI6 spy famously played by Sean Connery, Roger Moore and Daniel Craig.
The newly knighted 53-year-old told GQ that while he appreciated the sentiments behind constant rumours linking him to the role, he maintained that Bond “was written how he was written for a reason”.
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“It was never legit. It was always just a rumour,” Luther star Sir Idris told the magazine about the talk linking him to the character developed by former UK intelligence officer Ian Flaming. “I’ve always felt that it’s not a realistic thing.
“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.
“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 to answer the world’s taste. Just be Bond.”
The talk of Sir Idris stepping into Bond’s shoes was actually sparked by the last British actor to assume the role: Craig, who famously ended his 16-year run with Her Majesty’s Secret service with 2021’s No Time To Die.
After the election of US President Barack Obama, Craig suggested back in 2008 that it was time for a black Bond – and many of the franchise’s fans looked to Sir Idris.
Sir Idris used his GQ interview to put paid to the rumours while spruiking his new role as Man-At-Arms in the new Masters of the Universe movie.
Auditions for the new Bond are currently taking place now with Dune filmmaker Dennis Villeneuve at the helm of the next film, which will be written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.
The BBC reported that rumoured front-runners for the new Bond included Dua Lipa’s new husband Callum Turner, former Superman actor Henry Cavill and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
