Fans want Idris Elba as James Bond next, but the actor will have to wait for Daniel Craig to finish his run, with one more movie left after James Bond 24. Elba is confirmed in "Luther," and in an effort to address the clamor, posted a scruffy selfie photo discrediting him for the part, in playful fashion, of course.
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
Rumors of Idris Elba as James Bond took flight, with current actor Daniel Craig about to finish his four-film run of Agent 007. "Spectre" is the follow-up to "Skyfall," and it's reported Craig is slated for one more Bond film after it. Idris Elba takes the clamor in stride, though, and to show he's game for however the rumors turn out, recently posted a scruffy selfie in defense of "not being Bond."
The photo was posted on Elba's Twitter account, wearing a bonnet and an untended beard, captioned: "Isn't 007 supposed to handsome? Glad you think I've got a shot! Happy New Year people."
In spite of fan support for the role, the news was met with some opposition. Some played the race card, said that Elba isn't made for the part, given the long line of actors slated for the role. Daniel Craig faced the same issue before "Casino Royale" was released, though to a milder extent: critics said Bond shouldn't be blonde.
Rush Limbaugh commented on Idris Elba as James Bond, mentioning Ian Fleming's concept of the MI agent (cinemablend.com):
"James Bond is a total concept put together by Ian Fleming. He was white and Scottish. Period. That is who James Bond is, was. But 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, and I know it's racist to probably point this out."
The first suggestion of Idris Elba as James Bond came as early as 2011 in an interview, and Elba said he had reservations for the part.
"I just don't want to be the black James Bond. 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."
