Idris Elba Says Bond Audiences “Won’t Go” for a Black Man Playing 007

NME ^ | 9th June 2026 | Victoria Luxford

[nickcarraway]

The recently knighted star has been linked to the role for a long time

Idris Elba has confirmed he will not be playing James Bond, saying that he felt some audiences wouldn’t “go for” a Black actor playing the role.

The award-winning actor, who has been the star of films including The Suicide Squad, Pacific Rim, and TV series The Wire, has been linked with the role for many years, with speculation building following the departure of Daniel Craig from the role in 2021. However, in a recent interview with British GQ, he discussed why he won’t be playing the part.

“I’ve always felt that it’s not a realistic thing,” he said. “James Bond was written how he was written for a reason. But I was complimented by it. And also, I think, in realistic terms, some markets just don’t go for that. Bond is big all over the world. And [audiences] won’t [all] go for a Black male, an African male, playing Bond. That’s not what they like in their culture. Period.”

Regarding whether 007 should change with the times, he remarked: “Bond is so unrealistic, so a hint of reality is good, but let’s not try and make it woke. I think you’ve got to be pure to what it is: escapism. Don’t try and answer the world’s taste. Just be Bond.”

The search for the new James Bond officially began last month, as casting begins for a lead for Denis Villeneuve’s new vision of the world’s most famous spy. It will be the first film since Amazon MGM Studios took over the creative direction of the character, and recently former Bond actor Léa Seydoux said she was “sad” that the company was in control of the franchise.

As for who is in contention for the part, reports emerged last month that You actor Tom Francis was auditioning for the role.

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TOPICS: TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: 007isdead; 007worldisdead; idriselba; jamesbond; movies

[Mathews]

He’s correct.

[frank ballenger]

I wonder if a white Shaft would go over well with audiences?

The white Shaft. Already getting in line at the movie theater. And it's not even reality yet.

🎤🪈🪈🎷🎸🎸🎸🎸🎹🎺🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🥁

That white Shaft is a bad m........

Shut your mouth.

Hey, I'm talkin' 'bout white Shaft.

Then we can dig it.

[nickcarraway]

Why?

[Poison Pill]

I don’t think Page is playing Achilles.

[JBW1949]

Sean Connery was James Bond...I started reading the Bond books in the ‘60’s and Connery exactly fit the image I got from the books....

[Angelino97]

They cast a black Felix Leiter in Never Say Never Again (1983). And again in the Daniel Craig cycle.

[Sirius Lee]

Walking around with a chip on your shoulder and constantly failing at your attempts at bait. Sad really.

[Flaming Conservative]

A black man better than a woman of any color.

[No Party Affiliation]

How about a white guy playing Shaft?

[TheThirdRuffian]

It’s like trying to have a white Black Panther or whatever.

It’s just stupid to change up beloved characters.

[usurper]

Will Smith, for instance, did a great job with the action hero role.

Samuel L. Jackson would be a hoot. If you have Quintin Tarantino direct I will watch.

But he's aging out and I don't think he can fake a British ascent.

[frank ballenger]

Before you call Samuel L. Jackson that to his face, give me time to take cover.

Unless he’s in a good mood from whipping out his sweet, buttery buns in the credit card ad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S88nWW80ico

[Sirius Lee]

the Daniel Craig cycle.

KBG Bond wasn't really Bond either.

[Angelino97]

I wonder if a white Shaft would go over well with audiences?

Already done in Shafted (2000), a parody of 1970s films and culture.

[BipolarBob]

I could see Orson playing Falstaff.

[ridesthemiles]

HE IS CORRECT

[Political Junkie Too]

I'm glad the he sees it as an intellectual property of the suave British spy, and does not support usurping it for another's agenda.

If someone wants a black super-spy character, then create one and let the market decide if they want it; but don't steal someone else's character for your own ends.

-PJ

[American Infidel]

Nor should they. It would be like re-casting ‘Shaft’ as a white guy. People would be ‘outraged’ and screaming about so-called “cultural appropriation”. The James Bond character was created as a white guy. Why is that such an “issue”?

[Merrick]

I think he’s dead wrong - but he also said audiences won’t go for a woke Bond and he’s completely right about that.

[BitWielder1]

He is right, but choosing a Black actor is not the issue.
Completely unmotivated race and gender swapping is.