Current Events > Producers are 'leaning toward' Idris Elba as the next James Bond

(+) Yeah! (+)

If they bring back classic James Bond then great

If they continue with James Bourne Bond it will still be awful
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Damn_Underscore posted...

If they bring back classic James Bond then great

If they continue with James Bourne Bond it will still be awful

Agreed.

Skye Reynolds posted...

Capn Circus posted...

catboy0_0 posted...

Capn Circus posted...

James Bond is not black lol

says who?

Does this look like a black man to you? It's the author's image of James Bond. The books also imply he's white.

That looks like Sherlock Holmes. And I've yet to see a Bond actor with even a passing resemblance to that character.

White would be a good start for resemblance, wouldn't you say?

Its obvious Bond has always been white and was envisioned by the creator as white.
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Why don't they just introduce Elba as 006 or whatever, have him be a support character like Moneypenny was in Skyfall, and segway into his own spy franchise.

Then you can have your classic Bond image and a major blockbuster spy film starring a Black lead. Best of both worlds, no? >_>
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he hasn't even been casted and people are already triggered lmao
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AlisLandale posted...

Why don't they just introduce Elba as 006 or whatever, have him be a support character like Moneypenny was in Skyfall, and segway into his own spy franchise.

Then you can have your classic Bond image and a major blockbuster spy film starring a Black lead. Best of both worlds, no? >_>

Because 006 doesnt sell tickets

And couldnt complainers make the same argument about 006 not being black? Why would it suddenly be ok to them then?
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So many things wrong with this topic. In regards to the author's depiction of a white Bond, he also depicted him as a short stocky guy, not a short muscular guy like Craig, or a tall thin guy like Brosnan. And besides, the character of Bond is always the same no matter the actor. But with all of that being said I do like the guy but agree he's too old. Had they gone with him instead of Craig I would have been okay with it. You have to keep in mind they want somebody to be around for 10ish years. If it's a one-off movie he's still young enough to pull it off. But they don't really establish a brand with a one-off. Remember Roger Moore's movies towards the end of his run? Not really believable that a man nearing 60 could pull all that off.
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Twin3Turbo posted...

AlisLandale posted...

Why don't they just introduce Elba as 006 or whatever, have him be a support character like Moneypenny was in Skyfall, and segway into his own spy franchise.

Then you can have your classic Bond image and a major blockbuster spy film starring a Black lead. Best of both worlds, no? >_>

Because 006 doesnt sell tickets

And couldnt complainers make the same argument about 006 not being black? Why would it suddenly be ok to them then?

Because Alec Trevelyan is dead and the new 006 to take his place has not been revealed yet.
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Twin3Turbo posted...

Because 006 doesnt sell tickets

And couldnt complainers make the same argument about 006 not being black? Why would it suddenly be ok to them then?

Idris Elba sells tickets. Spin-offs sell tickets. The fact that it's tangentially related to Bond at all will sell tickets enough until Elba's clout establishes it as its own thing.

Also the last 006 that mattered died before a reboot so as long as they dont name him Alec Trevalyan nobody will care lol.
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Paragon21XX posted...

Twin3Turbo posted...

AlisLandale posted...

Why don't they just introduce Elba as 006 or whatever, have him be a support character like Moneypenny was in Skyfall, and segway into his own spy franchise.

Then you can have your classic Bond image and a major blockbuster spy film starring a Black lead. Best of both worlds, no? >_>

Because 006 doesnt sell tickets

And couldnt complainers make the same argument about 006 not being black? Why would it suddenly be ok to them then?

Because Alec Trevelyan is dead and the new 006 to take his place has not been revealed yet.

I thought that it would be a reboot if Idris Elba took over, right? If that's the case, then none of that would matter really.
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If they had of made him Black in Casino Royale that would have been fine because it started it over. But making him so different for the sake of it makes no sense. Sure the old bonds were supposed to be the same person and didnt look the same but suspension of disbelief only goes so far.
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AlisLandale posted...

Twin3Turbo posted...

Because 006 doesnt sell tickets

And couldnt complainers make the same argument about 006 not being black? Why would it suddenly be ok to them then?

Idris Elba sells tickets. Spin-offs sell tickets. The fact that it's tangentially related to Bond at all will sell tickets enough until Elba's clout establishes it as its own thing.

Also the last 006 that mattered died before a reboot so as long as they dont name him Alec Trevalyan nobody will care lol.

And it would still sell more tickets as 007.

And still, none of that would really matter if it's a reboot (which I was always lead to believe it would be)

Now if it's supposed to be the same James Bond, I could see how that would be weird, but as a reboot I think the whole thing is a non-issue.
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To be honest, EON should do a joint universe. Jinx and Way-Lin were both meant to have spinoff movies and Felix Leiter could be the tough antihero while Bond remains the suave character. If you want to throw in another agent, you could make that happen as well.

I'd want the Felix Leiter solo movie to be a remake of Licence to Kill with Leiter getting his own revenge against Silva. And Way-Lin might have an international appeal since she's an agent working for the Chinese government.

Twin3Turbo posted...

And it would still sell more tickets as 007.

One movie = $$$

Two movies = $$$$
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Also just to add on, if the intention is to make him smooth, suave and whatnot like James Bond, then you might as well just make him James Bond. Do any of those characteristics match 006?
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1NfamousACE_2 posted...

GbanyaGanja43 posted...

1NfamousACE_2 posted...

GbanyaGanja43 posted...

Imagine the backlash if Hollywood recasted an iconic black character as a white dude

What character would you pick that could be recast of an iconic black character where race wasn't part of the character?

I dont know, Apollo Creed. Pick one, it doesnt matter. Twitter SJW would be butthurt regardless of whether race was important to the character.

So, you gave a scenario and couldn't even finish the scenario.

Good job

I literally gave you an example, but i understand if literacy and extrapolation of basic concepts are an issue for you given your original post
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I'm in for this.
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Hairistotle posted...

I dislike this, but I will not lose sleep over it.

Me too. Just don't watch it or give it money at the box office if you don't like it. Simple as that.

all this white washing
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DiScOrD tHe LuNaTiC posted...

I can see his point, but someone will have to be the first black Bond if they really do it.

But can't you find a younger actor to do it?

Donald Glover is 34, can't he be considered?
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Why not an Asian?
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SuperMedz3 posted...

Why not an Asian?

Okay, but only if the theme song can be Secret Asian Man. <_<

Paragon21XX posted...

Only when the previous agent assigned to the number has died. James Bond is can only ever be a white Anglo-Saxon. 007 can be a man, woman, genderfluid, black, white, purple people eater, incel, Chad, Stacey, etc.

The previous agent doesn't need to die.

They can have Daniel Craig do a short scene and literally hand the title over to Idris Elba as the new 007 and things would be done.

It would acknowledge that 007 is a title handed down between actors who portrayed the character previously from each generation of actors to the next.

Problem solved.
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Before Daniel Craig, I'd think that a black Bond would be stupid as there's an alleged character continuity there. Now? Just a rebooted character again. Or they'd make the reboot series fit with the wrong fan theory that "James Bond" was just a code name as well and have a literal pass the torch moment in the next Bond flick.
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stone posted...

lesidesi posted...

what would make nerds more angry?
black male bond or white female bond?

Black female Bond

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I feel the best way to do it is just go back to the old loose continuity and play it all straight and not reference his change of race. Just have him be like any other James Bond guy. Then when another actor takes his place do the same thing.

Why do people want JB to be changed so much? Most of it seems to be coming from non-fans too. Why do you guys care about a series that you didn't even care about to begin with?

And for the love of god can we please not do the code name stuff? 007 is the code name. James Bond is the guy's real name. That theory is dumb.
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FrisbeeDude posted...

stone posted...

lesidesi posted...

what would make nerds more angry?
black male bond or white female bond?

Black female Bond

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069890/

KamenRiderBlade posted...

DiScOrD tHe LuNaTiC posted...

I can see his point, but someone will have to be the first black Bond if they really do it.

But can't you find a younger actor to do it?

Donald Glover is 34, can't he be considered?

He's not British.

Trelve posted...

He's not British.

I'm sure he can learn a British accent.

They have accent teachers for that.
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KamenRiderBlade posted...

Trelve posted...

He's not British.

I'm sure he can learn a British accent.

They have accent teachers for that.

Putting on a British accent is not the same as being British.

He can play Felix Leiter if he wants. But not James Bond.

Antifar posted...

Siri, show me a comparison of posters' opinions on this subject with their opinions on Scarlett Johansson playing a real life trans man.

I think both are fine.
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Southernfatman posted...

I feel the best way to do it is just go back to the old loose continuity and play it all straight and not reference his change of race. Just have him be like any other James Bond guy. Then when another actor takes his place do the same thing.

Why do people want JB to be changed so much? Most of it seems to be coming from non-fans too. Why do you guys care about a series that you didn't even care about to begin with?

And for the love of god can we please not do the code name stuff? 007 is the code name. James Bond is the guy's real name. That theory is dumb.

I dont really consider a change of race to be a significant change of the character.
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eh, not a huge fan of this choice. James Bond is a white dude, that's just the way it is, and it always should be. He's an established character, there's no reason to change him.

still, it really would be a non-issue, despite my opinion on the matter. Idris Elba is cool and I'd definitely root for him as James Bond. He'd do a great job I think
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If you have a problem, with James Bond, a fictional character, being black, the problem is with you
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FrisbeeDude posted...

If you have a problem, with James Bond, a fictional character, being black, the problem is with you

But what it they made T'Challa white? Fictional character right?

<sarcasm>
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EnragedSlith posted...

I dont really consider a change of race to be a significant change of the character.

I wasn't meaning race there, but other changes people want to make to the character. Making him a woman, making him a different guy entirely, or going with the codename thing. I'm just a James Bond fanboy so this stuff bugs me more than it's supposed to.
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Southernfatman posted...

EnragedSlith posted...

I dont really consider a change of race to be a significant change of the character.

I wasn't meaning race there, but other changes people want to make to the character. Making him a woman, making him a different guy entirely, or going with the codename thing. I'm just a James Bond fanboy so this stuff bugs me more than it's supposed to.

"What's next, Jane Bond? Hashtag Not My Doctor." -- Dalek, New New New New Doctor
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Southernfatman posted...

I'm just a James Bond fanboy so this stuff bugs me more than it's supposed to.

So are many others including myself.

But "In Universe" how do you explain James Bond being alive and young for so long and looking different due to being portrayed by different actors?

The only logical explanation IMO is that "007: James Bond" is a identity assumed by those who agents who make it to the ### agent level and assumes that persona for the sake of their cover.

As time moves on, the title and history is passed on to the new agent who takes over due to death of the previous agent or retirement of the previous agent.

That's the only logic I can come up with on short notice that would connect every single James Bond film together properly and connect Idris Alba as the new James Bond.
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Trelve posted...

Putting on a British accent is not the same as being British.

He can play Felix Leiter if he wants. But not James Bond.

That didn't stop someone from the UK from playing Batman.

CIA_Agent posted...

lesidesi posted...

white female bond?

this would ruin Bond forever...

but the fans will be happy because she's white
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Love the idea

but also agree that it would be cool if they created a new character too

either way I'm for it if they make the bond movies better than they've been lately

seems they threw all subtlety out the window

KamenRiderBlade posted...

But "In Universe" how do you explain James Bond being alive and young for so long and looking different due to being portrayed by different actors?

I believe comic books refer to this as a sliding timeline.

The only real continuity that Bond has is the death of his wife which has been referenced multiple times throughout the series. The opening scene of For Your Eyes Only was meant to tie the series together and show that they were the same Bond.

Personally, I like to think of A View to a Kill as the end of the original series with the Dalton and Brosnan Bonds being in their own timeline.

Skye Reynolds posted...

Trelve posted...

Putting on a British accent is not the same as being British.

He can play Felix Leiter if he wants. But not James Bond.

That didn't stop someone from the UK from playing Batman.

Or Spiderman.
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Skye Reynolds posted...

That didn't stop someone from the UK from playing Batman.

Or Superman

If we can have a British Actor playing Superman?

Why can't we have an American playing 007?
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Skye Reynolds posted...

I believe comic books refer to this as a sliding timeline.

The only real continuity that Bond has is the death of his wife which has been referenced multiple times throughout the series. The opening scene of For Your Eyes Only was meant to tie the series together and show that they were the same Bond.

Personally, I like to think of A View to a Kill as the end of the original series with the Dalton and Brosnan Bonds being in their own timeline.

So Reboots or Parallel Universes?
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KamenRiderBlade posted...

So are many others including myself.

But "In Universe" how do you explain James Bond being alive and young for so long and looking different due to being portrayed by different actors?

The only logical explanation IMO is that "007: James Bond" is a identity assumed by those who agents who make it to the ### agent level and assumes that persona for the sake of their cover.

As time moves on, the title and history is passed on to the new agent who takes over due to death of the previous agent or retirement of the previous agent.

That's the only logic I can come up with on short notice that would connect every single James Bond film together properly and connect Idris Alba as the new James Bond.

I just don't think about it that much. It's like comic books with their sliding timelines. Batman isn't an old man either.

I'd actually rather they not do a race swap, but if the actor is good enough it's not a deal breaker. I'm more worried about them actually making a good JB movie at this point.

I just never liked the code name theory. James Bond was written as one person. Yes, the movies are different, but a lot of Ian Fleming's ideas are still there in the series. I don't see why it's so bad to stick with the original character. I don't feel the James Bond movie formula needs to be changed to draw in more interest. They just need to make a good movie.

I also didn't like the idea of rebooting JB either. There was no need to.
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catboy0_0 posted...

Youngster_Joey_ posted...

I like Idris Elba, but no fucking thanks.

This just screams of desperation because the last couple Bond films have sucked tbqh.

spotted the "Proud Boy"

Proud Boys were the group on the West Coast that were fighting Antifa in the streets, famously where the guy punches and knocks out the Antifa guy with a pipe.

They describe themselves as patriotic. Many on the left describe them as racists.

But, to get to the point. He is calling you a racist.
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Did yall forget the shitstorm that happened when Craig got the role? Wtf Blond Bond? Wtf 510 too short!
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KamenRiderBlade posted...

Skye Reynolds posted...

I believe comic books refer to this as a sliding timeline.

The only real continuity that Bond has is the death of his wife which has been referenced multiple times throughout the series. The opening scene of For Your Eyes Only was meant to tie the series together and show that they were the same Bond.

Personally, I like to think of A View to a Kill as the end of the original series with the Dalton and Brosnan Bonds being in their own timeline.

So Reboots or Parallel Universes?

Officially, it's the same universe.

But the continuity got a bit loose in the 80s and 90s. I mentioned a specific character death in spoiler text as the basis for continuity within the series. After Timothy Dalton came on the scene, references to that particular loss in Bond's life became vague. Characters would make comments like, "He lost someone close to him," or "Funny how [women] always seem to forgive you in spite of the ones you've failed to protect." Long time fans would know immediately who those remarks were a reference to, but for everyone else it just seems like vague references to him having lost someone.

The Living Daylights is something of a soft-reboot in my opinion. Bond de-ages 15 years and Moneypenny, a hopeless flirt whom Bond is not romantically interested in, suddenly becomes a sultry librarian type. But everyone else remains the same. There's even a point where they have a picture of the original M from the 1960s.

KamenRiderBlade posted...

Skye Reynolds posted...

That didn't stop someone from the UK from playing Batman.

Or Superman

If we can have a British Actor playing Superman?

Why can't we have an American playing 007?

I think a great majority of England would riot. ^_^
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