Originally published November 29, 2015. Updated November 29, 2022.
Idris Elba (Luther) has spoken to Variety about the persistent rumours that he may be the next actor to play James Bond and the potential for a black actor to take on the role.
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Elba was interviewed by the magazine to promote his Netflix drama Beasts of No Nation, when discussion turned to the 007 rumours and author Anthony Horowitz’s controversial assertion that Elba was “too street” for the part.
The actor stated that he had barely been aware of the comments as he was working on other projects at the time.
“I really have nothing constructive to say about James Bond,” Elba said before adding that “it’s just a rumour”.
Elba was then asked about the broader question about whether a person of colour could portray Bond.
He said: “James Bond is a spy. He could be any color, surely.”
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Elba has repeatedly been talked about in connection with the role of James Bond, alongside fellow stars Tom Hardy (Mad Max: Fury Road), Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs) and Damian Lewis (Homeland).
Meanwhile, the latest Daniel Craig-starring Bond movie Spectre is still going strong at the box office, having thus far secured a global haul of nearly $700m.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng&v=zo9wUtSEME8
