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Could Idris Elba be the next James Bond?


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Poll: Could Idris Elba be the next James Bond?

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Could Idris Elba be the next James Bond?

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Is it basically too early to be asking about the next Bond, whoever it is?

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#61 univex

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Posted 28 October 2012 - 01:42 AM


I agree. I am by no means racist, but I would never want a 'black Bond.'

I just don't think the character should be black. I know that is extremely controversial of me, and I really do not mean that in a bad way. Far from it.

Agreed. Just as I wouldn't want a white actor playing Barack Obama in a film about his life.


Spot on.

#62 AgentBentley

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Posted 28 October 2012 - 09:53 AM

Idris Elba is a great actor, and he would be great in a Bond movie as either the villain or a close ally of Bond. But he can't be Bond, just like a great Asian actor or woman or even US actor can't be Bond. Any departure from Bond as a white Anglo will just not be credible.

#63 Tony_OO_Black

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Posted 28 October 2012 - 10:47 AM

Absolutely agree with people above - it's not remotely racist to suggest a 'black' Bond is a bad idea.

If anything to me it insults people from such a racial background to think their colour is validated heroic by making a white character black. There are tonnes of such black characters in fiction that work splendidly, those should be celebrated on film as opposed to throw up a colour change in Bond.

I'd love to see Idris Elba in a Bond though; he would actually have made a fine Felix Leiter I reckon.

#64 Dustin

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Posted 28 October 2012 - 11:46 AM

Ladies, gentlemen,

I've repeatedly read now member's assertions about them not being racist, but...

In my view this is entirely beside the point and in fact not at all called for. Seeing Bond as a white Caucasian male is simply one of several individual characteristics defining the person of 'James Bond'. Nobody has to apologise for taking these characteristics into account; neither for neglecting them. A blind person for instance will probably not at all understand what kind of discussion this is, or what the specific arguments are trying to point out.

Some of these defining characteristics have been subject to change, others haven't, which implies a certain hierarchy. Race and gender obviously are very high up within this ranking, yet it seems other characteristics are also a matter. Right from the start the cinematic depiction of Bond wasn't congruent with the literary depiction (which in itself wasn't consistent about its subject; Bond's background changed significantly with the books). Over the decades we've seen a certain bandwidth of interpretations, perhaps not all in line with the personal image of Bond we've come to shape in our minds.

Now we've arrived at a point where some people can imagine a black Bond while others refuse the very notion. Looking closer at the argument it's apparent that a change of skin colour for some means it's not Bond any more, not the same person. I don't think the refusal is primarily because white males then would not be able to identify with Bond - with their Bond - any more. That's far too simplistic and in fact an argument like a racist or white supremacist would use to incite people. And I like to nurse the notion neither feel at home within CBn. I think those fans against a black Bond in their majority are used to a certain idea of their hero that simply isn't subject to change beyond what's absolutely necessary for keeping the character up-to-date. So Bond still has the Naval background and the rank of Commander, regardless if such would actually affect the character or the storyline. The person of Bond stays intact within his universe, isn't suddenly changed to being American or working for the Foreign Office or having been to Cambridge. Wait...

On the other hand those not averse to the idea of Idris Elba as 007 (nobody in their right minds seems to realistically expect Elba to take over from Craig, at least not around here) are certainly not guided by notions of political correctness, a term I deeply despise as it's most often used by those having their own agenda. To me it simply speaks of different priorities where the characterisation of 007 is concerned. A page or two ago I read 'no black actor can ever be better in their characterisation of Bond than a white actor' or something like it. Really? If I had to choose between Andy Serkis and Idris Elba I'd probably go with Elba. But OK, Serkis is a little older than Elba, so the comparison isn't all that fair, is it? Let's see, how about Justin Bieber and Idris Elba? And don't tell me Bieber isn't an actor, male or a human, I don't care about that a lot either way. I'd choose Elba.

You are of course far too clever to not realise what I'm doing here, aren't you? I'm pointing out where we would arrive if the tone of skin was the main factor in defining Bond. We'd arrive at Homer Simpson as 007, provided we are prepared to ignore his yellow complexion because at any rate he's meant to be a white male Caucasian. Apparently better than any black actor could ever be at playing Bond. Hm...

To round this in the end rather pointless argument up - pointless because it's a publicity stunt nobody should waste much time mulling over - nothing indicates we will in our lifetimes be confronted with a need to adapt our idea of Bond more than we already did. That's not to say we won't ever be surprised by Bond on the big screen again. But the series won't cross borders society itself isn't able to.

#65 DouglasJ

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Posted 28 October 2012 - 12:01 PM

I would hate a black James Bond. It would alter something about the character, in the same way that casting a white actor as Alex Cross would.

#66 FOX MULDER

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Posted 28 October 2012 - 12:15 PM

Seeing Bond as a white Caucasian male is simply one of several individual characteristics defining the person of 'James Bond'. Nobody has to apologise for taking these characteristics into account; neither for neglecting them.

Sorry, Dustin, but in my view race is not a 'characteristic'.

It is one of the fundamental defining details of a character. Like gender and name. You cannot change it at whim just because one half-decent black actor has mentioned an interest in playing the part.

And race aside, I don't see Elba as Bond. I really don't.

#67 jamie00007

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Posted 28 October 2012 - 01:26 PM

Agreed. Race is a part of someones identity. Thats not a good or a bad thing. It just is, When it comes to a fictional character theres room for re-imagining and re-interpretation but the more you strip away aspects of a characters identity the more you're turning the character into a faceless and generic blank cipher. At that point, what is the point of him even being James Bond?

#68 RPD

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Posted 28 October 2012 - 02:34 PM

I would first pick maybe Michael Fassbender as being James Bond.

As would many people, myself included. I sure hate to think of DC being gone, though...

#69 SecretAgentFan

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Posted 28 October 2012 - 02:39 PM

Don´t worry. That day is at least four years away, if not six.

#70 Hockey Mask

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Posted 28 October 2012 - 03:20 PM

Bond is a white male because he was written that way and more importantly has been played that way for 50 years. Danny Devito can't play Bond because he's isn't tall enough. Roger Moore can't play Bond because he isn't young enough. Drew Barrymore can't play Bond because she isn't male enough. And Elba can't play Bond because he isn't white enough. You may be able to act your way past an accent or sexual orientation but some things just can't be acted past.

#71 Peckinpah1976

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Posted 30 October 2012 - 08:02 AM


I agree. I am by no means racist, but I would never want a 'black Bond.'

I just don't think the character should be black. I know that is extremely controversial of me, and I really do not mean that in a bad way. Far from it.

Agreed. Just as I wouldn't want a white actor playing Barack Obama in a film about his life.


Ghandi was played by a white man...

Glibness aside, that's a completely different thing. But as fictional characters go, we've already had a Black Kojak and a Female Asian-American Dr Watson. Frankly I'd rather they cast a good actor, than a non-entity like Sam Worthington or Pierce Brosnan just because they're supposedly the right colour.

Edited by Peckinpah1976, 30 October 2012 - 08:03 AM.


#72 jamie00007

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Posted 01 November 2012 - 04:54 AM

Its not a different thing. Whether a character exists in real life or not doesnt change things. If anything the fact that you cant change a real life persons race in a movie shows exactly why you shouldnt change a fictional ones either, because race is an inherent part of their identity. The black Kojak and female asian Watson were obviously meant to be totally new, re-imagined characters. Sure, they could make a Bond movie with a totally re-imagined, new Bond and make him black. Not what I, and I imagine most other people, would want. Whats the point of using an existing character if you're going to radically change him? They had a hard enough time of it just re-imagining Bond's hair color.

#73 Zographos

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Posted 01 November 2012 - 06:04 AM

Not what I, and I imagine most other people, would want. Whats the point of using an existing character if you're going to radically change him? They had a hard enough time of it just re-imagining Bond's hair color.

Maybe that's an argument for ignoring what other people want and just trying your damndest, whether you're blond, Irish, or black.

#74 jamie00007

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Posted 01 November 2012 - 06:18 AM

I'd prefer they try their damndest to stay as true to the established character as possible and concentrate their efforts on the movies they put him in.

#75 Nick Bone

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Posted 01 November 2012 - 10:23 AM

This is just crap. Time after time these same stories are flying around, only the name of the actor changes (from Colin Salmon to Idris Elba). I don´t think they are ready to break the formula this much. I have absolutely nothing against black people, but black Bond? Come on.

Sign mr. Elba for a villain/ally role, he´s a good actor.

Our man in the service was born of a Scottish/Swiss heritage and let it be that way.

Maybe we´ll get a DARK HAIRED Bond after Craig? :D

#76 SecretAgentFan

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Posted 01 November 2012 - 10:49 AM

It would be such a huge change that it´s highly unlikely EON and SONY would dare to do it.

Craig has become such an iconic embodiment of Bond that everybody who will follow him will have the toughest job to win over audiences. They will have to be extremely careful to proceed after Craig.

Also, I do not believe that IF that meeting indeed has taken place it would have been about Elba playing Bond. It certainly could have been about Elba playing Bond´s nemesis.

#77 hilly

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Posted 01 November 2012 - 10:58 AM

Stories like this crop up as often as " The next Dr Who could be a woman".
I can't see it happening, but, having seen him in The Wire, I reckon he would make a wonderful villain

#78 NVT

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Posted 01 November 2012 - 04:10 PM

The problem is that the character of Bond has a pre-defined attrubutes and linege, you don't have to have the "not being racist" line to realise it is difficult to make it happen.
It's easier to make any other character such as Moneypenny black then Bond.

Maybe if they did a spin off series.

#79 Dustin

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Posted 01 November 2012 - 05:12 PM

Such stories come up with a certain regularity, but are in the end completely unsubstantial. They serve mainly to polish the profile of the actor - or singer - in question. In around two years we are likely to hear the next version.

#80 quantumofsolace

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Posted 01 November 2012 - 11:59 PM

http://www.entertain...lack-James-Bond

#81 I never miss

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Posted 02 November 2012 - 03:05 PM

It'll never happen. If Idris Elba has been approached then it'll be either regarding a role in SF or in Bond 24. Babs and MGW would never let Bond be played by a black actor - its not racism, just not the original intention for the character. Bond is a 40ish white Brtish male. Keep it simple. I have the utmost faith that eon will.

#82 bonds_walther

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Posted 04 November 2012 - 04:31 PM

I just don't see the need for it. Ever. It's a 'no' from me.

#83 honeyjes

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Posted 04 November 2012 - 05:34 PM

I doubt it, it’s already a poison chalice for anyone who signs up. If a black actor took on the role he would probably get fire bombed, just look at the mass hysteria and vitriol that ushered in Craig.

Perhaps if there was a level playing field we wouldn't be having these type of discussions if parts played by the likes of Elisabeth Taylor & Angelina Jolie re Cleopatra a Numbian Queen, blacking up to play Othello, Marianne Pearl etc were actually offered to people of colour.

Edited by honeyjes, 04 November 2012 - 05:36 PM.


#84 Iceskater101

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Posted 06 November 2012 - 03:08 PM

I have changed my vote, Henry Cavill for Bond.

#85 Double-0-Seven

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Posted 10 November 2012 - 06:33 PM

James Bond is a white character. It's just what he is. It's not a question of racism at all. I think making Bond black would be change for the sake of change. Why do it? Political correctness is crazy sometimes - the notion that the Bond series is somehow racist because Bond has never been black. I don't want to see a black Bond simply because James Bond is white. It's not racism at all. Someone might argue that they changed Felix, but a supporting character with a very minor role is much different than the leading man and central character of the entire franchise.

Like sharpshooter said, it'd be like casting a white man as Barack Obama in a biopic. It doesn't make sense.

#86 double o ego

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Posted 13 November 2012 - 05:16 PM

I'm black myself and the thought of Bond being black doesn't sit well with me at all. Bond is a white man. Luckily SF went out of its way touch on Bond's heritage. I don't mind supporting characters being black, white, brown, green, blue pink or what ever but Bond needs to stay being a white guy. Craig's casting initially almost brought blood to the streets, God only knows what would happen if they change the character's race altogether. It's just so bloody unnecessary.

#87 Iceskater101

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Posted 13 November 2012 - 05:18 PM

I feel like this casting is like saying let's make James Bond homosexual now. I mean you would never make James Bond homosexual and you would never make James Bond black, because he was made as a white, straight man.

#88 Nicolas Suszczyk

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Posted 29 December 2012 - 07:48 PM

1) This isn't true.

 

2) I can tolerate a muscle-bound Bond, a blonde Bond, a little out of shape Bond, but a black Bond can never happen. One thing is to change Leiter to a black man, because the cinematic Felix can be old, young, blonde, black depending of the actor and the context. But not a black Bond. Just as univex says, Bond has his roots. I'm not racist, just that he (like any other black actor) doesn't fitls the Bond role.



#89 Mallory

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Posted 30 December 2012 - 05:29 AM

If only we can ask Ian Fleming

 

What I don't understand, why the support for Idris Elba? He was never offered the role, he openly stated that it even if he was offered he would turn it down. He doesn't want to be known as "The Black James Bond" but as most internet rumors go, they just keep carrying on. That would be bad for the next Bond actor for those expecting Elba and instead they get someone else. At least lets rush things here, Craig still has two more films to go. I am actually hoping he does three more.

 

Henry Cavill would be great but I don't think they want Superman for the role but it sounds like his Superman could be a one time thing. 


Edited by Mallory, 30 December 2012 - 05:35 AM.


#90 Guy Haines

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Posted 30 December 2012 - 08:58 AM

I've come across this interesting nugget from the Life magazine book "50 Years Of James Bond":- "In 1955, not long after the publication of Casino Royale, the Russian born producer-director Gregory Ratoff optioned the book and hired the young Lorenzo Semple Jr. to write a script. Neither man thought much of the main character. "Frankly, we thought he was kind of unbelieveable and as I recall, even kind of stupid" Semple recalled in Variety. "So Gregory thought the solution was to make Bond a woman, 'Jane Bond', if you will, and he even had a plan to cast Susan Hayward in the role."  "

 

Changing the racial background or even the gender of 007 might seem like some 21st century press gimmick or agent's pitch to the producers, but it seems some were considering it before Bond had reached the cinema screen. On reflection I'm glad they didn't.