James Bond Casting Was Never 'Realistic,' Idris Elba Says

Idris Elba has said it was never “realistic” that he’d be cast as James Bond, as global audiences wouldn’t have accepted a Black version of the character.

Speaking to GQ, Elba addressed long-running speculation that he could be cast as the next incarnation of the infamous British spy (something he recently distanced himself from, and said he was now “too old” to play back in 2016). But while insisting he was “complimented” to be linked with the role, Elba suggested it would have never actually happened.

“I’ve always felt that it’s not a realistic thing,” Elba said. “James Bond was written how he was written for a reason. But I was complimented by it. And also, I think, in realistic terms, some markets just don’t go for that.

“Bond is big all over the world,” he continued. “And [audiences] won’t [all] go for a Black male, an African male, playing Bond. That’s not what they like in their culture. Period.”

Known for his roles in The Wire, Luther and numerous Marvel movies, Elba was initially linked to Bond after a comment from former 007, Daniel Craig, following the election of President Obama back in 2008. During that time, however, Craig was still early in his run as Bond — a tenure that continued until 2021’s No Time to Die.

Now, auditions are underway for the next Bond actor, who will take the franchise forward in a fresh reboot helmed by Amazon. What could this next iteration of the series look like? According to Elba, James Bond is “escapism” — and should remain so.

“Bond is so unrealistic, so a hint of reality is good, but let’s not try and make it woke,” he said. “I think you’ve got to be pure to what it is: escapism. Don’t try and answer the world’s taste. Just be Bond.”

Elba’s comments come after previous speculation that Bond might be updated radically under Amazon’s ownership, though this never seemed likely. British acting legend Dame Helen Mirren previously spoke out to state that she thinks whoever ends up being cast in the role, it should be a man. “I’m such a feminist, but James Bond has to be a guy,” Mirren said. “You can’t have a woman. It just doesn’t work. James Bond has to be James Bond, otherwise it becomes something else.”

Not that this aspect of the character ever seemed like it was set to change — as a leaked internal memo reportedly suggested that Amazon would always keep James Bond as a man and still be British or from the Commonwealth while it was in charge.

James Bond 26 will be the first 007 film from Amazon MGM Studios and new producers David Heyman and Amy Pascal, who took over from Bond franchise producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. Dune director Denis Villeneuve has signed on to helm the movie.

While we wait for the new, untitled 007 movie to come to theaters, you can read about how to watch every film in the series in order. You can also check out what Spider-Man star Tom Holland had to say about rumors about his potential casting last summer.