Idris Elba Responds To Bond Rumor: ‘I Don’t Want To Be Called The First Black James Bond’
After much recent speculation, Idris Elba has finally responded to the Bond rumors that just won’t go away. James Bond fans from all around the world have been championing Elba as the new Bond, which would make him the first black man to play the coveted role.
According to the Daily Beast, in an email leak from the recent hacking scandal, Sony Pictures Entertainment co-chairman Amy Pascal stated that “Idris should be the next Bond.”
As for Idris Elba’s response to the latest Bond rumor, he has been characteristically modest, questioning “isn’t 007 supposed to be handsome?”
“Glad you think I’ve got a shot! Happy New year people.”
The actor took to Twitter to post his response to the Bond rumors, including a selfie in which he looks a little more scruffy the man he is being hotly tipped to play.
Isn’t 007 supposed to handsome? Glad you think I’ve got a shot! Happy New year people. pic.twitter.com/3g9lAl2Uo3
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) December 27, 2014
Elba’s response comes shortly after Rush Limbaugh expressed his concerns about a black man playing the role of James Bond.
“Now [they are] suggesting that the next James Bond should be Idris Elba, a black Briton, rather than a white from Scotland. But that’s not who James Bond is. I know it’s racist to probably point this out.”
Limbaugh’s idiotic statement seemed to omit the fact that previous 007’s have been English and Irish.
Even before the leaked email, Elba has long been rumored to be a popular choice to become the new James Bond. But despite many people feeling he would be the ideal candidate to be the first black Bond, Elba has some understandable reservations about taking on the role, wishing to be judged purely on merit. Speaking previously about the Bond rumors, he said he would absolutely take on the part but under one condition.
“I just don’t want to be called the first black James Bond. Do you understand what I’m saying? Sean Connery wasn’t the Scottish James Bond and Daniel Craig wasn’t the blue-eyed James Bond. So if I played him, I don’t want to be called the black James Bond.”
Despite the media frenzy, fans expecting the imminent announcement of Idris Elba as the new James Bond are likely to have to wait a little longer. Although Elba has stirred even more rumors and excitement by responding to the Bond rumors, we must not forget that Daniel Craig has reportedly signed on for future James Bond releases.
