Idris Elba believes that people have never wanted a black James Bond

James Bond is one of the great characters of contemporary fiction. With decades behind him and many actors having portrayed him, Bond is the kind of character that will always create controversy. Although he has taken many forms, people have a very particular idea of who the character is and how he should be. Something that has prevented there from being different versions of him. For example, a female Bond. Or a Black one. An actor who could never be Bond. This is what Idris Elba talked about in an interview with GQ, where he confirmed that he was never among the […]

James Bond is one of the great characters of contemporary fiction. With decades behind him and many actors having portrayed him, Bond is the kind of character that will always create controversy. Although he has taken many forms, people have a very particular idea of who the character is and how he should be. This has prevented different interpretations of the same character. For example, a female Bond. Or a Black Bond.

An actor who could never be Bond

This is what Idris Elba talked about in an interview with GQ, where he confirmed that he was never on the list of candidates to play James Bond. The reason why the idea that he could play James Bond emerged, almost twenty years ago, was for very particular reasons. The first of these was Barack Obama’s victory in the 2008 elections, which gave a boost to black representation. The second was some statements from Daniel Craig suggesting that it would be interesting to see a black James Bond for the first time.

For her part, Elba believes that it would have been impossible. “I have always felt that it is not something realistic. James Bond was written the way it was for a reason. But I felt flattered by it. And also, I realistically think that some markets do not seek that,” she said regarding the possibility of becoming James Bond. Stating that there is no need to change Bond, “it’s so unrealistic that a touch of reality is good, but let’s not try to make it woke. I think it’s important that it remains pure as what it is: escapism.”

At 53 years old, even if there were interest on his part to be James Bond, he is no longer of the age to do so. Especially with the rumors that they are looking for a young actor to play the character, following the particular interpretation that his new video game, 007: First Light, has made of it. But it is interesting to see the perspective of the man who for years was thought to be the new Bond and who we now know was never meant to be.

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Author: Álvaro Arbonés

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