From Stringer Bell to 007?
A new James Bond is always a mixed bag of emotions. The sort of thing that, good or terrible, will seem to symbolise an era. It will be infinitely debated, thousands of euros will be placed on it at the bookies, and no matter who is picked, will definitely not please everyone.
Of course, Daniel Craig has confirmed that he has one more Bond movie left in him – the as yet unnamed twenty-fifth instalment of the franchise, due to be directed by Danny Boyle - but all eyes will be on who replaces Craig in the famous tuxedo.
Various names including Tom Hardy, Michael Fassbender and Tom Hiddleston have been mentioned. But one name keeps coming up: Idris Elba.
And
a new report makes it seem like that’s going to happen. Apparently series producer Barbara Broccoli has been speaking to director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day, The Equalizer) about the franchise, and he revealed that she said "it is time" for a non-white actor to take the role.
She said that it "will happen eventually", and that Elba was in pole-position to take the mantle of Bond.
Other Black British actors who have been linked with the part include John Boyega and David Oyelowo (who has actually voiced the character in audiobook form).
We all know that Idris Elba is a brilliant actor with an incredible screen presence, and that he has all the tools to make an excellent James Bond.
As we've seen in Luther, he's more than capable of going to some dark places and matching the physicality of Ian Fleming's beloved character. A good fit? What do you reckon?
