As the nation settled down to watch the return of Detective Chief Inspector John Luther, the man behind the warrant card, Idris Elba, will no doubt see his profile rise once more.
As the nation settled down to watch the return of Detective Chief Inspector John Luther, the man behind the warrant card, Idris Elba, will no doubt see his profile rise once more. Already loved on both sides of the Atlantic due his performances in The Wire and Luther and held in high regard in Hollywood after featuring in blockbusters such as American Gangster and the fast approaching Pacific Rim (released 12th July), there would one role that would eclipse it all—Bond, James Bond.
The rumours of Elba taking over from Daniel Craig have been rife ever since he hit our screens as the ruthless copper back in 2010 and with Craig only signed on for two more adventures as the secret agent, the question over his replacement will only intensify.
Can he cut it?
So can the 40-year-old Londoner cut it as MI6’s finest? With the rebirth of Bond as a more violent, ruthless agent who isn’t immune to everyday emotions such as love, revenge and grief, many can see Elba as a perfect replacement and I agree. Daniel Craig has shown a total different side to Bond and after initial pessimism at his casting has proved hugely success and Elba would be the ideal actor to carry on Bond’s story.
Looking at his two biggest roles, DCI Luther and Stringer Bell, you’ve seen Elba as a bruiser capable of handling himself, assured and charming yet vulnerable and overly committed to his goals, elements that Bond has racing through him.
What does the big man himself think of the link? Just search Google and you’ll find many quotes but for the moment he’s simply passing it off as a ‘rumour’ but admits that he’s ‘flattered by the notion of it but it’s still very much Daniel Craig’s job’ yet with him starring as Nelson Mandela in the biopic: Long Walk to Freedom (November 2013), his stock will only continue to rise.
‘I wouldn’t want to be called the first black James Bond’
Elba has however made it clear that should he become the next man with the golden gun then his skin colour should have no effect on his casting. Speaking to an American radio station he said: ‘My dad asked me if I’d do it, I said yeah but I wouldn’t want to be called the first black James Bond, you know what I’m saying? Sean Connery wasn’t the first Scottish Bond and Daniel Craig wasn’t the first blue-eyed Bond, so I don’t want to be the first black Bond.’
The Arsenal supporter is correct, Elba should be named the new Bond because of his acting ability and range and not because of his skin colour just in the same way that opposition to his casting should not be a racial issue but one of an acting manner.
Oscar winning performance
Let’s not forget Elba already has a Golden Globe to his name and is expected to put in an Oscar winning performance as Nelson Mandela, couple that his with appeal on both sides of the pond – casting him as James bond would prove popular with most and even strengthen its appeal in the USA.
However with two more movies with Daniel Craig still as Bond still in the wings, the movie boffins and indeed the public have a little while to make up their mind!
What do you think? Would Idris Elba make a great James Bond? Have your say in the comments section below, on Facebook or on Twitter.
