
Idris Elba was wise to reject James Bond – politics is turning 007 into a spectre
The IndependentSign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Some quarters, for instance, feel it’s high time Bond was played by a woman, or a Black actor, or another underrepresented minority. When the Black actress Halle Bailey was cast as Ariel in the 2023 Disney remake of The Little Mermaid, the racist hashtag #notmyariel started trending on Twitter, evidently because certain people in the West who had grown up on the original cartoon, and presumably had nothing better to think about, couldn’t stomach the idea of a childhood hero being played by anyone who didn’t have white skin and crimson hair. On the other hand, when Steven Spielberg cast the American Colombian actor Rachel Zegler in the role of Maria in his 2021 remake of West Side Story, there were grumblings from various quarters that Zegler didn’t have a Puerto Rican bone in her body. Elba has other reasons for opting out of an iconic role that seems to become more politically charged with each passing week: he’s said many times before that he regards himself as an actor first and a Black actor second.
History of this topic

The ‘James Bond’ property is changing hands. Here’s who we’d love to see play 007 next
CNN
James Bond: James Norton addresses rumours he’s odds-on favourite to play 007
The Independent
James Bond: 007 in danger of losing his name in trademark battle
The Independent
Daniel Craig backtracks on hilariously blunt view about next James Bond
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ChatGPT chooses the best actors to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond; this Indian star makes the cut too. See full list
Hindustan Times
James Bond producer draws rough sketch of next actor to play iconic secret agent: ‘Whiteness is not a given’
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Daniel Craig doesn’t care about the next James Bond – at this point, who does?
The Independent
Pierce Brosnan reacts to claims that Aaron Taylor-Johnson will be the next James Bond
The Independent
Aaron Taylor-Johnson: ‘New James Bond’ addresses claims he’ll be 007
The Independent
Aaron Taylor-Johnson awkwardly swerved James Bond question months before being ‘offered role’
The Independent
James Bond producers insist they HAVEN'T cast Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the new 007 as speculation over who will win the role continues
Daily Mail
‘Our skin is no more than that: it’s just skin,’ Idris Elba claims he got turned off from playing James Bond
Hindustan Times
A Brit star is 'tipped to become the next James Bond'
Daily Mail
Idris Elba gives definitive answer on longstanding James Bond rumour
The Independent
Idris Elba on James Bond: ‘I’m not going to be that guy’
Associated Press
James Bond: The 14 actors rumoured to take over from Daniel Craig, from Aaron Taylor-Johnson to Idris Elba
The Independent
James Bond producer reveals age of next actor who will play 007, ruling out Tom Hardy and Idris Elba
The Independent
James Bond producers say they’re looking for a 007 who will commit for ‘10-12’ years
The Independent
Idris Elba 'walks away from playing James Bond'
Daily Mail
James Bond fans would not like to hear THIS about his next movie
India TV News
James Bond producer says next film won’t start filming for years as ‘we’re reinventing him’
The Independent
Idris Elba 'part of the conversation' to take over the role of James Bond says executive producer
Daily Mail
Official! Idris Elba in talks to be the next James Bond, here's what we know
India TV News
James Bond producer confirms Idris Elba being considered as the next 007
New Indian Express
No Time To Spy: The question isn't who's the next James Bond, but do we even need another one?
Firstpost
What now for James Bond?
The Independent
Next James Bond: Who will replace Daniel Craig?
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Daniel Craig says Casino Royale was the reason he returned to play Bond one last time
The Independent
Bridgerton's Rege-Jean Page drops James Bond hint as fans call for him to take role
Daily Mail
John Boyega says he could ‘show them something different’ as the next James Bond
The Independent
Idris Elba confirms he HASN'T been offered James Bond role
Daily Mail
Bond 25: Everything to go wrong with the new 007 movie starring Daniel Craig (so far)
The Independent
No wonder Danny Boyle has ditched directing Bond – even a 'reimagined' 007 film makes no sense in modern society
The Independent
Idris Elba confirms he won’t be the next James Bond hours after Danny Boyle steps down as director
The Independent
Idris Elba fuels James Bond speculation with cryptic tweet
Live Mint
Idris Elba responds to Bond rumours: 'My name's Elba, Idris Elba'
The Independent
Idris Elba dismisses latest James Bond casting rumours: 'Don't believe the hype'
Firstpost
'My name’s Elba, Idris Elba': The Wire actor reignites James Bond speculation with cryptic tweet
Firstpost
Idris Elba fuels James Bond rumours as cryptic tweet sends fans into a frenzy
Daily Mail
James Bond boss says 'door open' to black 007 with Idris Elba hinted as frontrunner
The Independent
Idris Elba front-runner to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond
Hindustan Times
Next James Bond: The 8 'favourite' actors rumoured to take over from Daniel Craig, from Idris Elba to Tom Hiddleston
The Independent
George Clooney wants Idris Elba to be the next James Bond: He’s elegant, handsome, masculine
Hindustan Times
James Bond 25 title and villain details reportedly revealed
The Independent
Daniel Craig in Bond 25: The star will reprise his role as 007 agent in 2019 film
Firstpost
Roger Moore dead: Where the James Bond actor ranked himself among the other 007 portrayals
The Independent
Joanna Lumley says Idris Elba doesn't fit the description for James Bond
The Independent
Daniel Craig pulls surprise U-turn over playing James Bond again: 'I would miss it terribly'
The Independent
Who will be the next Bond? Kit Harington rules himself out of running to replace Daniel Craig
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