Strong hints Idris Elba poised to be first black James Bond
LOS ANGELES: There have been strong hints that Idris Elba is set to become the fi rst black James Bond.
The latest to drop the hints is James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.
She has hinted that Daniel Craig’s exit could pave the way for the fi rst black actor to be cast in the role. A news report claims that Broccoli has spoken to director Antoine Fuqua about casting possibilities once Craig steps down — which he is strongly believed to do after the next movie in the franchise, which production later this year.
Fuqua told the Daily Star that Broccoli now thinks “it is time” for casting directors to diversify the list of 007s — the fi rst of whom was Sean Connery back in 1962.
Idris Elba is currently the most-backed non-white actor with bookies. His odds of becoming James Bond after Craig are currently 8/1 with bookies Betfair.
Also being touted as possible candidates are Daniel Kaluuya ( 20/1 with Ladbrokes) and starts John Boyega ( 50/1), but both are regarded as long- shot contenders.
Fuqua has been quoted as saying: “Idris could do it if he was in shape. You need a guy with physically strong presence. Idris has that.”
One person who’s probably out the running is Jason Statham, who threw his own hat in the ring back in 2015 but now seems to accept that his chances are slim-to-none.
“No one is coming to me for that job,” he quipped at the premiere of ‘ The Meg’.