513 replies to this topic

[iBond]

It's hard to think of anyone except Craig now in the role! God knows who I would have...I really can't think of anyone....!

I could name a few, but they would be NOTHING like Craig. In my opinion, Craig has made the part of Bond his own--something Moore could never pull off--but he doesn't DEFINE the part of James Bond as a whole.

[dtuba]

Everyone knows JB is white. Just like Jesus and Santa Claus.

[S K Y F A L L]

Well Jesus was Jews but I thought no one can say for sure what ethnicity he was. Biblical White Washing I guess.

As for Santa I'm not to sure but wouldn't he be an Eskimo? Or is he in league with them for building the toys?....

 

Idris Elba would make a great villain because he is also a physical threat. Anyway still no news on a LUTHER film.... I wonder if LONG WALK TO FREEDOM will make it to the Oscars. Could you imagine that if Idris Elba won an Oscar and then was cast as the villain for Bond 24.....Its fun to day dream...

[quantumofsolace]

http://www.radiotime...es-bond-rumours

[tdalton]

Looks like we can finally move past this rumor.  Given that Elba is only about 4 years younger than Craig, there was never any doubt that he wasn't going to be the one taking over for Craig. 

[Odd Jobbies]

http://www.radiotime...es-bond-rumours

 

I think Elba's taking it a bit seriously, taking issue with people saying 'Black Bond' (or maybe the quote has been taken out of a broader context).

 

If a white man were to play Mandela or Mohamad Ali, or Shaft, wouldn't some (black, white and everyone else) perhaps refer to the casting as 'White Mandela', or 'White Ali', or 'White Shaft'?

 

I bet Elba would, because It's just a lazy figure of speech that quickly identifies the iconoclasm of the casting. And if he thinks it's not iconoclastic, then he's in denial.

 

In fact, can you imagine the uproar from the self-righteous - those with more opinions than life experience (of all colours) - if a white man, say Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, or even Daniel Craig were cast as Shaft?  I bet it's those same voices that call for a 'Black Bond'

Edited by Odd Jobbies, 05 January 2014 - 12:11 PM.

[S K Y F A L L]

What is this IDRIS ELBA KING OF SPEED crap? I want more LUTHER, geez. 

[Double Naught spy]

Although I've already given my "two cents" on this topic (expand the 'double 0' universe and have Mr. Elba star as 008, have a female double-0 agent star in a film, etc.), upon further reflection perhaps Mr. Elba should aim a bit higher.  With all due respect to Mr. Fiennes, maybe Mr. Elba should strive for being the new M.  This has the added benefit of playing into the ongoing trend of placing black actors in positions of authority within the government (at least in American TV shows - Homeland, The Mentalist, The Blacklist - to name a few).  For that matter, why stop there?  Maybe it's time for a new actor to take up the mantle of Minister of Defense Sir Fredrick Gray.

 

This thread has been going on for over a year now.  So, taking a page of those who advocate casting Mr.Elba as the next James Bond for the mere sake of "injecting new blood" into the 007 franchise, I'm hereby proposing to inject "new blood" into this thread and suggest we change it to "Could Idris Elba be the next Freddie Gray?"  I'm confident that those (and you know who you are) who only want a black actor play 007 for the simple fact that it would (somehow?!?) assuage an "historical racial grievance" festering (only) in their own minds will immediately jump onto my band-wagon at having Mr. Elba portray Bond's boss's boss.   I'm also confident that those of you (who I sincerely count myself as being among) that think Mr. Elba is an excellent master of his craft, who have no "racial ulterior-motive," and just think he'd make an awesome 007 (which I don't count myself among - sorry) will also latch onto this 'compromise' of having such a fine actor playing a key role in the franchise.

Edited by Double Naught spy, 05 January 2014 - 11:12 PM.

[SecretAgentFan]

The idea of Idris Elba as the next "M" would be most welcome, indeed. 

 

Of course, he would have to wait at least six more years since Fiennes will stay on as long as Craig will, I guess.  And even after that, EON might stick to the model of starting a new era with some familiar faces.

 

And by then, Mr. Elba will probably have handed over his "Clive Owen-Award for being named as a possible successor to the Bond-throne by overeager yellow press-reporters" to the next guy.

[tdalton]

 

Of course, he would have to wait at least six more years since Fiennes will stay on as long as Craig will, I guess.  And even after that, EON might stick to the model of starting a new era with some familiar faces.

 

 

Hopefully EON continues on with Fiennes as 'M' even after Craig hangs up the role after the next two films.  As opposed to carrying Dench's 'M' over into the Craig films, which made zero sense, this time it would be more than appropriate to continue forward with the current 'M', as to avoid the next actor's tenure feeling like yet another reboot.

 

If Elba is going to be a part of the franchise, I'd prefer to see him as a villain at this stage.  

[SecretAgentFan]

I´m also very keen on seeing Fiennes tackle the role of "M" in a most interesting way.  But I wonder whether EON will start to reboot completely after the Craig era - not by going back to a young Bond but by recasting everybody. With the expanded time frame of getting a new Bond film only every three years (or longer) it might even make sense to start fresh.  And who knows who will succeed Craig and whether the new guy will mix with the current ensemble.

[Walecs]

I'd like to see the continuity with Craig era even once Craig's left, that means keeping Fiennes, Harris and Whishaw.

[sharpshooter]

I'd like to see the continuity with Craig era even once Craig's left, that means keeping Fiennes, Harris and Whishaw.

Me too.

[Guy Haines]

I can see why the filming of Casino Royale as a "proper" Bond film was an opportunity for a re-boot of the series. It was, after all the film of the first Fleming Bond novel, so perhaps the film makers didn't want to treat it as "just another" Bond movie.  It could easily have been a follow on from the previous Bond films, with no mention of the assignment being Bond's first as a "00", but the producers took the risk of filming it as Bond's first "00" mission, and it worked brilliantly. .

 

However, I cannot see the point in "re-booting" every time a new Bond actor is cast in future. Audiences are used to a change of Bond actor every so often, even if M, Q,  Moneypenny and Tanner are still played by the same cast members. Unless there's a compelling reason to re-start the series again, and I can't think of one, then let the new "back office" cast carry on, even after Daniel Craig has left.

[Leon]

I find myself more and more actually hoping now for Idris to be cast after DC leaves. It would make things interesting. I also agree that if they do cast him they should not make a big deal of it/re-boot anything. New 007 - black dude - and what? - business as usual.

[ChickenStu]

If there is one thing I can't accept, it's a black Bond. I'm not racist, but that's something I just can't possibly see happening successfully and I'm a huge Elba fan. My opinions of course...now I'll go hide as everyone chews me a new one.

 

OK. Can't let that one fly I'm afraid. I'm aware this comment is two years old - but I thought I would just cite this one as an example.

 

I am absolutely a huge Bond fan. Of Fleming's novels, of the film series. Idris Elba as our man? I say BRING. IT. ON. He is English and he is a great actor. He's handsome and dead charismatic. Who gives a stuff if he's black? I certainly don't (and I'm white before anyone asks).

 

In the past 52 years we have had two English, one Irish, one Australian, and one Welsh Bond. The FIRST of course was Scottish. He impressed Fleming SO much, that Fleming actually created a Scottish origin FOR the character off the strengths of the actor who played him! That in itself proves that Fleming had a progressive attitude.

 

Straight away, that's six people of five different nationalities who have played our man. So does him being a Black man really matter in the grand scheme of things?

 

This is the 21st century, Idris Elba has the chops... and frankly who gives a damn? We all have to remember THESE ARE ONLY MOVIES. 

 

If Idris Elba does play our man one day, any people in here who don't want to watch it - fine. You'd be cutting off your noses to spite your faces. 

[quantumofsolace]

http://metro.co.uk/2...s-bond-4994514/

[DaveBond21]

He's a bit too old now, but why not?

[FlemingBond]

 

 

He's too close to Craig's age , so no.

[AgenttiNollaNollaSeitsemän]

And getting a Black Bond would require another reboot after Skyfall's focus on Bond's family history. 

.   

[tdalton]

As is pointed out every time that this rumor is brought up, he'll be far too old for the part once Daniel Craig gives it up. 

 

Craig's successor is currently in his early or (at most) mid-thirties. 

[Harmsway]

Elba would be great, but he's too old.

[Jim]

Poll added

[S K Y F A L L]

I'm looking forward to the next series of Luther. Agreed he is to old to begin the training.

[Odd Jobbies]

And getting a Black Bond would require another reboot after Skyfall's focus on Bond's family history.  

Very good point

[coco1997]

My problem with casting Idris Elba as James Bond is that it would require changing the character's nature, to paraphrase Raoul Silva. Elba may be the most qualified actor right now to play Bond once Craig departs (and I agree he would be much too old at that point) but what about Bond #8? Bond #9, etc? If you continue casting black actors just because a precedent was set with Elba, you have then fundamentally redefined the character. Think of it this way: Would it not be perverse to then replace Elba with another white actor? Then Elba would most certainly go down in history as the "black Bond," a term which Elba himself has stated he hates. 

 

The only way I could a black Bond working is if the character is rebooted after another long hiatus, and I can't see that happening any time soon since the franchise was just rebooted for the very first time less than a decade ago. 

[iBond]

Again, if they were to make James Bond an African-American actor, I would be all for the casting of Idris! I'm half black myself and would welcome the change! At the same time, Sony may be the one voicing the opinions, but in the end, it's the Broccoli family that has the final say in the matter on who the next James Bond would/should be. Not Sony. So, all I'm saying is, don't get your hopes up guys and after all, we do have another one with Danny-boy after SPECTRE.

[Vauxhall]

Mail Online readers have reacted to the suggestion in a particularly understated manner...

[coco1997]

Again, if they were to make James Bond an African-American actor, I would be all for the casting of Idris! 

Elba is British, not African-American. 

[hilly]

Have said it before..I don't see him as Bond, but he'd be a great villain.