Is Idris Elba The Frontrunner For JAMES BOND When Daniel Craig is Done?
When it was looking like Daniel Craig wouldn't come back to reprise his role of James Bond in the next film, there was a lot of speculation on who would take over for him. A favorite choice among fans was Idris Elba. Then when Craig surprisingly decided to sign up for the Danny Boyle directed film, talk of who the next Bond would be stopped. Craig is said to have signed up for Bond 25 and Bond 26.
Bond 26 will most likely really be Craig's last film as 007, so after that, a new actor will have to step in. Now it seems that the producers want to cast Elba in the role. According to a recent report, he may be the frontrunner for the role.
The news comes from The Equalizer II director Antoine Fuqua, who said that Bond series producer Barbara Broccoli is looking to cast a black James Bond. According to The Daily Star, she told him that "it is time" for a non-white actor to take on the iconic role. The report says that Broccoli is sure a diverse Bond "will happen eventually." Fuqua went on to say:
"Idris could do it if he was in shape. You need a guy with physically strong presence. Idris has that."
I like Elba and I think he'd be great in the role, but he previously said that he thought he was too old for the role, saying:
"If I’m really honest, man, I think I’m too old for that. I’ be running around in cars and ladies and martinis — who wants to do that? It sounds terrible!"
That was when he was 43. Now he's 45. He will be even older by the time Bond 27 gets underway. Daniel Craig is 50-years-old, though, so Elba could still technically do it... if he wants to. But, you'd think the producers would want to bring in someone a little younger that could come back for multiple films.
Tom Holland (Spider-Man) and Henry Cavill (Superman) have both expressed interest in taking on the role. Out of those two, Cavill is definitely a better choice. If producers are looking to cast a black actor in the role, though, there are a lot of talented actors out there younger than Elba that they could cast in the role! When previously talking about the franchise, Broccoli said:
"These films tend to reflect the times so we always try to push the envelope a little bit. Anything is possible. Right now it’s Daniel Craig, and I’m very happy with Daniel Craig, but who knows what the future will bring?”
Would you want to see Idris Elba take on the role of James Bond? If not, who else would you like to see cast when Craig is finally done?
Bond 25 opens November 8, 2019.