When Bond actor Idris Elba said he didn't want to play 007, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson responded.
The actor Idris Elba, dressed in a suit and coat for his role as Luther, strikes a dramatic pose on a downtown street.
Producers of the James Bond films address Idris Elba's rejection of the role of 007.
In the climactic moments of 2021's No Time to Die, Daniel Craig's James Bond was slain in a spectacular explosion.
This means that, for the first time in many years, the role of 007 is wide open.
Of course, No Time to Die had already introduced a different 007 in the form of Lashana Lynch's Nomi, who briefly assumed the identity before handing it back to Bond.
However, producers have effectively killed any hope of an actual woman playing James Bond 007.
Now, any number of eligible male actors, including Tom Hardy, Henry Cavill, Richard Madden, James Norton, and Tom Hiddleston, might take over for Craig as Bond.
See also: The Flaw in the Original Theory About James Bond's Face Changes.
Elba is another option, and he's a favourite among Bond fans.
If Elba were to take on the role of James Bond, he would make history as the first actor of non-white ethnicity to do so.
Elba just eliminated himself from consideration, suggesting he has no desire to play James Bond 007.
Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson don't appear to be fazed by Elba's comments.
Mr Broccoli told Variety:
Idris is a wonderful person, and we adore him.
However, that time is still a few years away.
And when we cast Bond, we're committing for ten or twelve years.
So, he's probably debating whether or not he needs the item.
Obviously, not everyone is up for that.
The process of obtaining
Moreover, Wilson mentioned that Craig was already in his 30s when he assumed the role of 007 in 2006's Casino Royale.
Elba, on the other hand, is already 50 years old, so he would be in his sixties by the time he was ready to retire from the role of James Bond if he committed to portraying Bond for another ten years.
It's also true that Elba seems to have emotionally moved on from all the chatter about him becoming Bond, despite the fact that it's been going on for years with no results.
Even more recently, the actor said, "I have no more answers for it,” suggesting he is sick of being asked about Bond.
Just "ah, don't ask me that," I always say.
Of course, none of these completely rules out Elba as Bond in the future.
One or both parties may be engaged in secret negotiations at the present time.
However, Elba may be completely serious in his public comments and have no desire to play Bond.
If Elba isn't available, there are plenty of other interesting actors waiting in the wings to meet with Broccoli and Wilson for an audition.
The James Bond franchise has been going strong for sixty years, and the role of 007 still has significant attraction among performers.