Idris Elba Says It Was Never 'Realistic' For Him to Be Cast as James Bond

Idris Elba has said it was ne'er "realistic" that he'd beryllium formed arsenic James Bond, arsenic planetary audiences wouldn't person accepted a Black mentation of the character.

Speaking to GQ, Elba addressed long-running speculation that helium could beryllium formed arsenic the adjacent incarnation of the infamous British spy (something helium precocious distanced himself from, and said helium was present "too old" to play backmost successful 2016). But portion insisting helium was "complimented" to beryllium linked with the role, Elba suggested it would person ne'er really happened.

"I've ever felt that it's not a realistic thing," Elba said. "James Bond was written however helium was written for a reason. But I was complimented by it. And also, I think, successful realistic terms, immoderate markets conscionable don't spell for that.

"Bond is large each implicit the world," helium continued. "And [audiences] won't [all] spell for a Black male, an African male, playing Bond. That's not what they similar successful their culture. Period."

Known for his roles successful The Wire, Luther and galore Marvel movies, Elba was initially linked to Bond aft a remark from erstwhile 007, Daniel Craig, pursuing the predetermination of President Obama backmost successful 2008. During that time, however, Craig was inactive aboriginal successful his tally arsenic Bond — a tenure that continued until 2021's No Time to Die.

Now, auditions are underway for the adjacent Bond actor, who volition instrumentality the franchise guardant successful a caller reboot helmed by Amazon. What could this adjacent iteration of the bid look like? According to Elba, James Bond is "escapism" — and should stay so.

"Bond is truthful unrealistic, truthful a hint of world is good, but let's not effort and marque it woke," helium said. "I deliberation you've got to beryllium axenic to what it is: escapism. Don't effort and reply the world's taste. Just beryllium Bond."

Elba's comments travel aft erstwhile speculation that Bond mightiness beryllium updated radically nether Amazon's ownership, though this ne'er seemed likely. British acting fable Dame Helen Mirren antecedently spoke retired to authorities that she thinks whoever ends up being formed successful the role, it should beryllium a man. "I'm specified a feminist, but James Bond has to beryllium a guy," Mirren said. "You can’t person a woman. It conscionable doesn't work. James Bond has to beryllium James Bond, different it becomes thing else."

Not that this facet of the quality ever seemed similar it was acceptable to alteration — arsenic a leaked interior memo reportedly suggested that Amazon would ever support James Bond arsenic a antheral and inactive beryllium British oregon from the Commonwealth portion it was successful charge.

James Bond 26 volition beryllium the archetypal 007 movie from Amazon MGM Studios and caller producers David Heyman and Amy Pascal, who took implicit from Bond franchise producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. Dune manager Denis Villeneuve has signed connected to helm the movie.

While we hold for the new, untitled 007 movie to travel to theaters, you tin work astir however to ticker each movie successful the bid successful order. You tin besides cheque retired what Spider-Man prima Tom Holland had to accidental astir rumors astir his imaginable casting past summer.

Image credit: Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You tin scope Tom astatine [email protected] oregon find him connected Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social