So Idris Elba might be the next James Bond

[Athinira]

It is different though. Shaft being black is part of what makes him who he is. There's no part of James Bond that necessarily needs to be white. If he walks, talks, and acts like James Bond and is named James Bond, then it's a James Bond movie. His race simply doesn't factor into it.

That's in theory, not necessarily how it works in practice. In theory, Shaft could also have been played by a white guy. In practice i don't think that would have worked (at least not as well), and they didn't even have an established franchise to consider.

I'm not saying it can't work, but i have my doubts. This is one of those "You never know until you go" discussions. But just keep in mind that because it doesn't seem to matter in theory, it doesn't mean it won't matter if put into practice.

 

[AzrealMaximillion]

I still think it'd be a bigger twist if Bond didn't fight Eastern Europeons...


OP: Idris Elba would make a great Bond if he could pull of a British accent well enough. To be honest I personally thing he'd make a better villain. Villain's are Elba's forte. If he played a villain that didn't die at the end of it all, he'd be great.

 

[bz316]

I'd actually like to see Idris Elba as Bond for a couple of reasons:

1) He really is a phenomenal actor,
&
2) If you assume Bond-universe continuity is a thing, it will pretty much confirm that James Bond is a code-name identity, with Daniel Craig's Bond being the original, actual Bond against which other "Bonds" are selected.

 

[el_kabong]

I don't see Idris making a good Bond. At least, not the Bond people have become attached to. Idris is one hell of an actor and I am excited to see him in most works, but I think that he's got too much presence to play Bond. His onscreen charisma is usually best when he's being an intimidation powerhouse or the charming working-class-esque hero. Historically, Bond is neither. It certainly works well for many of his roles thus far, but I don't see him as Bond. He commands too much attention (I don't see him going unnoticed at a party).

However, it is also possible that they'll do Bond even grittier than the Daniel Craig version. Since I'm not a Bond purist (or even a fan, really) I don't oppose such changes. Also, I don't think I'll be worse off for having more films with Idris Alba in them.

 

[elvor0]

I though "James Bond" was just the pseudonym successive 007 agents took.

No reason there shouldn't be a black Bond.

That's just a fan concept, not actually canon, there's a few sites that prove this isn't the case. Such as later bonds referring to things they did as earlier bonds. It's just a willing suspension of disbelief. Plus in the books, I'm pretty sure that's his actual name and he's pretty much Bruce Wayne going by the description. Was it the case then go for it, but otherwise eeeeh no. I'd say Craigs Bond is seperate from the original movies though, given Q is younger and just started in Skyfall. They work as a prequel trilogy to the legend rather than a fit to all the other 20 movies.

OT: I have no problems with him being black persay. But I'm going to go with the sentiment of "just make a new character and story". Why mess with an already established character? Given they are all meant to be the same person, I can suspend my disbelief to a certain degree, but when he's suddenly black, that really does screw things up a bit. You could quite literally make a James Bond movie, and just swap the name for something else and blam, spy movie, fans aint upset, you get a guy who can be his own character, possibly a franchise and everyone's happy. Heck you could even stick him in the same universe and make him another 00 (none of them have been introduced yet as far as I remember in the new trilogy) and have them team up.

 

[Daverson]

A black bond!? What'll they do next, make M a woman!?

...wait... =\

 

[IamQ]

Also, how weird would it be for the Bond girls?

Ever heard of... tentacle porn?

 

[mechashiva77]

Spoilers ahead for those who haven't seen Skyfall.

I wouldn't mind Elba being bond if it was established that James Bond was a pseudonym for 007 agents. But based on the movies and novels it seems that James Bond is staunchly white. If you recall in Skyfall you see the last name "Bond" on his parent's graves at the Church in Scotland. Since Craig's bond is a bit of a reboot of the series, his real name being James Bond and it not being a pseudonym might only be true for JUST that continuity. If you were to include Elba, I would have to say a reestablishment of the universe is required.

As far as the whole "adapting characters that have an established race" I would have to agree on some points. The whole reason a white Shaft wouldn't work, is because being black is a part of Shaft's character and his struggles. The reason it worked in the adaptation of the Shawshank Redemption is because you could easily make Red Latino or Asian, and the story would remain the same. It's the same case with M as well. It really didn't matter if she was a woman or a man, Judi Dench did a good job of playing the character and made me believe that she was the leader of a espionage sector and Bond's boss. Also Monneypenny, her race has no bearing on her character either, both adaptations of her still have the sexual-tension with bond, as well as her helpful nature and occasional dibs at Bond.

But, at the same time Elba's age makes me uncertain. Though Craig is in his mid-40s himself and still managed to do Skyfall.

 

[cookyt]

Spoilers ahead for those who haven't seen Skyfall.

I wouldn't mind Elba being bond if it was established that James Bond was a pseudonym for 007 agents. But based on the movies and novels it seems that James Bond is staunchly white. If you recall in Skyfall you see the last name "Bond" on his parent's graves at the Church in Scotland. Since Craig's bond is a bit of a reboot of the series, his real name being James Bond and it not being a pseudonym might only be true for JUST that continuity. If you were to include Elba, I would have to say a reestablishment of the universe is required.

Another way of looking at it is that Craig's Bond is the original and didn't use a pseudonym, and all Bonds after him (Elba, if it happens) are given the name of James Bond as a homage to the original. It could fit, given that the Craig Bonds are to be taken as a reboot.

 

[Gennadios]

IMO Craig is the best Bond since Connerey, I hope he still has a movie or two left before his contract expires.

Elba looks good in a tux and has a good general build for the role, so I'm not against the idea.

Asian James Bond? That's just stretching it, they'll have to spend the entire first movie explaining how he got that surname.

 

[Genocidicles]

I don't see the problem with Bond being played by a black actor, but then I subscribe to the theory that 'James Bond' is just a code-name that gets passed down.

As someone else mentioned though, Elba might be a bit too old when the time comes for Craig to step down.

 

[Toilet]

Just make Michael Fassbender the next Bond and then I can die a happy man.

Dude is classy as fuck and would make a great Bond.

 

[Casual Shinji]

It would be very weird, I'm sorry.

Bond has always been a white guy and to suddenly have him be black would take a lot of getting used to. Heck, I had a hard time getting used to Craig because he was blond.

I guess there's a first time for everything.

 

[Conza]

Many people said that Daniel Craig would be a terrible Bond, but I like him.

As a side note, I didn't like him at first, but I think he's adequete now. He's about the par for all other bonds (three above, two below).

When I told my dad about this rumor (it still is just a rumor, even Elba won't confirm it) he frowned and said, "a black Bond? ugh..." which is understandable since my dad grew up with Sean Connery as bond, and because my dad is kind of racist... lol

A Black secret agent, or even bond girl, I can occassionally live with that, but whilst not an admitted racist, the original character of Bond, all of of the ones since, I don't think it makes much sense either, depends how good he is as to how it'd work [/quote]

This made me think though, "are there certain roles that shouldn't be open to everyone?" James Bond has always been white, but that is mostly because of the times, back when black actors were a rarity. I don't think James Bond should be a racially exclusive role, James Bond is just MI6's best agent, not their best white guy. But I still ask myself, "are there certain roles that shouldn't be open to everyone?". All I can think of are black Nazi's or not-pale skinned vikings, but I'm sure there are other ones (or maybe not?)

So I have a few questions for you:
If Idris Elba actually does turn out to be the next Bond, how would you feel?

Ambivalent, with an outlook of dissappointed/ment.

Do you think James Bond is a role that only white guys should play?

Yes, and I'm not sure how bad I should feel about it

How would you feel about an asian James Bond?

Ok, now that doesn't work at all, it's possible through common migration, that an african bond is possible, whilst he's still a british subject, asian is so much less likely, to the point of sillyness.

Do you think there are certain roles that shouldn't be open to everyone? (certain races, certain genders, etc.)

Have to say yes, there's some roles that I think should be limited to certain races, and I think James Bond should be one.

Honestly, it shows more maturity in terms of diversity to not make a Bond that is a minority, just for the sake of it, imo. Not that this Elba guy wouldn't be a great actor, but in the back of my mind I'd think the studios were doing it as a minor statement.

Just make Michael Fassbender the next Bond and then I can die a happy man.

Dude is classy as fuck and would make a great Bond.

+1 Great choice, I mean he is in EVERYTHING, but otherwise, great.

 

[Athol]

They're making another B- wait, silly me, of course they're making another Bond. That Skyfall thing was weird then.

Daniel Craig wasn't James Bond to me. I could barely realize I was watching James Bond when he was around. He doesn't have the face of a James Bond, he looks always pissed off and more like a politician than a secret agent. I've always pictured Bond as classy, elegant, and attractive looking. Craig is a thug.

If you read the original novels, Bond WAS a thug. He was an alcholic, mysogonist with a two pack a day habit. The only reason you could consider him a 'good guy' was because he was working for the British, and not the 'evil' Soviets.

 

[KingHodor]

Nick Fury is a pretty iconic comic book character. For decades, we was a white guy. WW2 army sergeant and hero who fought on and behind the front lines - something pretty much unthinkable for a black guy, due to the segregation of units.
When they re-imagined him for the "Ultimate" universe, his looks were based on the original badass Samuel L. Jackson. Naturally, Samuel L Jackson was the first choice to play him in the movies.

Long story short, if you asked kids about Nick fury now, they'd probably describe him as a bald black badass.

So no, I don't see why we couldn't have a black Bond.