Updated on August 10, 2018 at 3:32 p.m.
Looks like the rumor mill really was at it again as a rep for Fuqua told The Hollywood Reporter, “He never had a conversation with Barbara about the franchise or about any casting. It’s all made up stuff. Not sure how it got started.”
It seems like this little story was just too good to resist for all of the publications that picked it up. I stand by all of my reasons that Elba should be the next Bond, though.
The original story was published on August 9, 2018 at 3:30 p.m.
With a new Daniel Craig Bond film due out next year, Bond 25, it’s almost time to fill the shoes of Britain’s most famous Secret Service agent. The question on everyones’ minds is definitely, “Who will be the next James Bond?” Of course, there’s nothing that the media loves more than stoking the fires of intrigue when it comes to such an iconic role. This time, however, it seems as though the rumor mill is churning one fantastic direction.
The Daily Star is reporting that Idris Elba, 45 is in the running to take on the leading role as MI6 agent James Bond, which would make him the first black James Bond ever. That’s right, a non-white actor was never offered the role officially. The publication reports that producer Barbara Broccoli is fully behind the casting after rumors of Craig hanging up his Bond gun began swirling with the news of Bond’s newest film in 2019. Director Antoine Fuqua shared with The Daily Star that Broccoli “feels it is time” for an ethnic minority actor to star as the iconic 007.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlbiuuRBMQn/?taken-by=idriselba
While the rumor mill has included candidates from Tom Hiddleston, Tom Hardy, Sam Heughan, Michael Fassbender, and Henry Cavill to take over the British agent’s role, I’m personally rooting for Idris Elba for quite a few reasons. Not only is he damn good actor, but he’s a damn fine one, too. Don’t act like that’s not a prerequisite for the Bond role!
Elba was the first man on the cover of Maxim, a retired kickboxer, and amateur race-car driver, too. If that doesn’t sound like a Bond resume, I don’t know what is. I’d like to see a real-life Bond start bossin’ some men around with the power of Stringer Bell behind him. After all, no good Bond movie is complete without some witty, powerful banter. I can only hope Hollywood agrees.
“You know what we got here? We got an elastic product, do you know what that means? That means, when people can go elsewhere and get their printing and copying done, they’re gonna do it! You’re acting like we got an inelastic product and we don’t!”
Truer words have never been spoken. And Bond could use a few econ. lessons under his belt in today’s day and age.
If you need a refresher on the ranks of Bonds we’ve seen in the Bond franchise, here you go!
1. Sean Connery: 1962-1967, 1971
Dr. No
From Russia with Love
Goldfinger
Thunderball
You Only Live Twice
Diamonds Are Forever
2. George Lazenby: 1969
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
3. Roger Moore: 1973-1985
Live and Let Die
The Man with the Golden Gun
The Spy Who Loved Me
Moonraker
For Your Eyes Only
Octopussy
A View to Kill
4. Timothy Dalton, 1987-1989
The Living Daylights
License to Kill
5. Pierce Brosnan, 1995-2002
GoldenEye
Tomorrow Never Dies
The World Is Not Enough
Die Another Day
6. Daniel Craig, 2006-2019
Casino Royale
Quantum of Solace
Skyfall
Spectre
Untitled (2019 release)
Again, there are no confirmed reports that Daniel Craig will hang up his Bond suit. The 2019 Bond film will be director Danny Boyle’s first shot at the Bond franchise.
Who would you like to see as Bond?