We’ve been expecting you, Mr Elba
IDRIS ELBA’S chances of being the first black James Bond have improved after the producer of the film franchise said “it is time” for a non-white hero.
With the new Bond 25 film looking likely to be Daniel Craig’s last, after the actor said he wanted to “go out on a high note,” the production team will be searching for a replacement.
Barbara Broccoli, daughter of Albert “Cubby” Broccoli, who produced 17 of the Bond films, told Antoine Fuqua, a director, she felt “it will happen eventually” that a black actor will play the role. He said the two then discussed who was in the running.
Fuqua told The Daily Star: “Idris could do it if he was really tight and in shape. He doesn’t look 45.”
While many have pointed out that Elba would be nearing his 50s, at 45, he is five years younger than Daniel Craig, and the same age as Roger Moore when he starred in Live and Let Die, his first outing as 007. Sean Connery was 32 when the first Bond film was released.
The Luther star shrugged off rumours in 2016, saying he was “too old for that man, running around in cars and ladies and martinis”. However in 2015, he had commented he would “absolutely” become Bond if asked.
In January, he remained coy when asked his thoughts about the role. He told Vanity Fair: “It could be a woman – could be a black woman, could be a white woman. Do something different with it.”