James Bond Gets The Royal Treatment, And Idris Alba Gets the Bond Treatment

James Bond will be getting the royal treatment at the premiere of the newest and 24th film in the legendary spy franchise, Spectre. The event will be attended by none other than Kate and William, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and William’s brother Prince Harry.

According to Express, the new James Bond flick has been chosen as Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund’s (CTBF) Royal Film Performance 2015 and will be premiered at Royal Albert Hall on October 26. Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli were, understandably, pleased with the announcement.

“We are honoured that Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry will attend the Royal Film Performance of Spectre and delighted the CTBF will be the beneficiary of the event.”

Meanwhile, even though the new instalment of the James Bond franchise has yet to premiere, it is being overshadowed by rumours and controversy over who will play James Bond in the movie that will follow. This will be the final James Bond film featuring Daniel Craig as 007. There has been plenty of speculation as to who will be next, with many pinning their hopes on Idris Elba. But Elba doesn’t seem quite as interested in being James Bond as fans are. Esquire reports he gave the idea thumbs down to an audience at the British Film Institute in the spring.

“Honestly, it’s a rumour that’s really starting to eat itself. If there was ever any chance of me getting Bond, it’s gone.”

This didn’t stop the folks at online entertainment site Vulture from making the dream a partial reality by creating a killer mash-up James Bond trailer featuring Idris Elba as the leading man of Spectre.

Although there is plenty of fan support for Idris Elba as Bond, not everyone seems to agree. Controversial remarks by James Bond author Anthony Horowitz who deemed Elba “too street” to play 007 didn’t go down well, and there has some backlash over the very idea that the character would be played by a non-white actor. One of those who seemed unimpressed with a non-white actor playing 007 was former-Bond Roger Moore who stepped in it big time, according to The Guardian.

“A few years ago, I said that Cuba Gooding [Jr.] would make an excellent Bond, but it was a joke! Although James may have been played by a Scot, a Welshman and an Irishman, I think he should be ‘English-English’. Nevertheless, it’s an interesting idea, but unrealistic.”

Regardless of whom the next 007 will or won’t be, Spectre is still waiting to be enjoyed. Fans will get a chance to do just that when it premieres on the same night it will be released in the U.K., and James Bond will hit U.S. theatres on November 6.

[Photo MGM Studios]