Idris Elba Responds to James Bond Casting Rumors, Questions If He's Handsome Enough for the Job

E! Online ^ | 12/27/14 | Mike Vulpo

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Twitter

Have you heard the news? Some people really want Idris Elba to become the next James Bond!

Although Daniel Craig is still signed on for the job, many in and out of Hollywood have spoken out about the possible casting choice. Yes, we're looking at you Rush Limbaugh.

But regardless of what you've seen, heard or read, Elba himself has something to say about the speculation and it may not be what you were expecting.

"Isn't 007 supposed to handsome?" he tweeted from his car Saturday morning while rocking a beanie and a scruffy beard. "Glad you think I've got a shot! Happy New year people."

Ummm, did we miss something? We pretty much love Elba, even with his rugged look. Besides, that sense of humor doesn't hurt things either.

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Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic; Justin Lubin/NBCU Photo Bank

According to The Daily Beast, Sony Pictures Entertainment co-chairman Amy Pascal allegedly wrote an email to the distributor of the 007 franchise. In the letter, Pascal reportedly stated that "Idris should be the next bond."

While some have been quick to support the possible casting, others like Limbaugh have major concerns.

"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," he proclaimed. "I know it's racist to probably point this out."

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For the record, Elba has spoken out about the rumors before. During a Reddit AMA, the actor was asked if he would take on the highly coveted role. His response? "Yes, if it was offered to be, absolutely."

But before you get too excited, Elba had one concern about taking on the part.

"I just don't want to be called the first black James Bond. Do you understand what I'm saying?" he shared. "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."

Don't worry, Idris. Craig has reportedly signed on for one more installment of the popular franchise that won't be released until November 2015. Hollywood has some time to figure out the future. 

[gusty]

Or it could be Bond against Brother Mouzon and Omar. Maybe Bond wins this time.

[ObamahatesPACoal]

I wonder if they lowered the swim test so Idris Elba could pass it.

[Captain Peter Blood]

I can’t go along with changing Bond. Ian Flemming would be against it. Your changing the fundamentals of the character and trying to put a Social Commentary on a iconic movie character.

I am 63 and my brother and I saw Sean Connery when Dr. No first came out in 1963 and I have been a faithful fan long these many years through all the various changes of the leads.

While I liked Roger Moore, I didn’t always like how cartoonish the series became under him. I have to say Daniel Craig met all expectations and more playing Bond and was more to the outlines of Flemming’s character in the books.

Now if producers and writers want to create a new spy character and use Elba then I think that is fine. Just leave well enough alone.

If they make the change I probably will not be that interested in seeing the film. I will be interested in seeing the Box Office and if the that kind of change will work.

Just don’t make that kind of change if it’s based on Liberal PC crap.

[Captain Peter Blood]

Niven played Bond in a Casino Royale spoof film. There were rights issues because a guy named Charles Feldman had the rights to make that film because of a deal Flemming made years earlier and CBS made an American version with actor Barry Nelson playing Jimmy Bond and Peter Lorre playing Le Chiffe. You can find it on YouTube.

[CJ Wolf]

This article is from 2014. Did you know trump us president now.