Idris Elba explains why he's happy he continues to be fan-cast as James Bond despite not wanting the role. Based on the iconic spy thriller novels by Ian Fleming, the first Bond franchise movie was released in the early 1960s, with Sean Connery playing the suave super spy. The series has since seen the release of 24 more films of varying quality, with a number of actors taking on the role, including Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and, most recently, Daniel Craig. After his acclaimed first outing in Casino Royale, Craig big farewell to the role with last year's No Time To Die.
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In a franchise first, No Time To Die ends with Bond's definitive death, leaving the door wide open for the next installment. With months having passed since Craig's exit, many fans are already focused firmly on the future of the franchise and who should play the role next. Elba has been among the front-runners for years, even before Craig announced his departure, with Tom Hardy, Tom Hiddleston, Richard Madden, and Henry Cavill also among those who have long been fan-cast as 007. Elba recently expressed that he's tired of constantly being asked about playing Bond after No Time To Die, but now, the actor offers a new perspective.
In a new interview on The Shop Podcast, Elba confirms that playing Bond isn't something he's entirely interested in. He explains that, while he's "not that guy" to be 007, he's happy he continues to be fan-cast as the first Black Bond, because of what it means for the evolution of casting. Check out Elba's full comment below:
It is not a goal for my career. I don’t think that, you know, playing Bond will satisfy some of my personal goals. It will definitely satisfy the will of a nation. I’m not gonna lie, every corner of the world I go, and I’m talking about different cultures, they always go ‘Bond,’ and I feel it is beyond me at this junction. It’s beyond me. You know, it’s not a question of, should I, do I, will I. It is what the will of the nation dictates sometimes.
I’m not that guy, but in everyone’s world I might be. And that — job done, because the truth is, you know, a lot of people are really seeing Idris playing Bond as the ‘alternative Bond.’ And as long as that alternative is existing, that’s great for the growth of f—ing casting.
Although Elba's statement about not being interested in the role is sure to be disappointing to many fans, the actor evidently believes his continued fan-casting means the door is open for another Black actor to potentially take on the part in the future. No Time To Die introduces Lashana Lynch's Nomi, the first Black actor to play 007, which is already an important achievement, but the actual role of Bond has only ever been played by white men. With Bond producers expressing interest in Bond 26 being a complete reinvention of the character, the door is certainly open for the role to become more diverse moving forward.
Elba may not see himself as Bond, but the actor's wording suggests the role is still not completely off the table for him. However, with him now being 50 years old and not exactly gunning to become 007, it's also looking increasingly unlikely. It remains to be seen who the next James Bond will be after Craig's exit in No Time To Die, but, at least as far as Elba is concerned, fans are welcome to continue pushing for him to take on the role.