Report: Bond Producers Eye Idris Elba For Next 007

John F. Trent |

Aug 10, 2018

A new report indicates Bond producers are eyeing Idris Elba for the role of James Bond if and when Daniel Craig decides to hang up his gun.

The report comes from the Daily Star who notes that director Antoine Fuqua, who recently directed Equalizer 2 and is known for Training Day and Shooter, recently spoke with James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli. Fuqua reported that Broccoli indicated that “it is time” for an ethnic minority to become James Bond. She also added, “it will eventually happen.”

And it appears it might happen sooner rather than later. Fuqua revealed that Idris Elba is one of their top choices. “Idris could do it if he was in shape. You need a guy with physically strong presence. Idris has that.”

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Broccoli had previously spoke to Daily Mail indicating she was open to changing Bond’s race and gender, “These films tend to reflect the times so we always try to push the envelope a little bit. Anything is possible.”

However, she added, “Right now it’s Daniel Craig, and I’m very happy with Daniel Craig, but who knows what the future will bring?”

Elba has actually advocated for radically altering the character while downplaying his own chances to become Bond.

“There’s no such thing as a black Bond. Are we interested in having a Bond character other than a male? It could be a woman, could be a black woman, could be a white woman. That character everybody would like to have, you know. Do something different with it. Why not?”

Elba had also talked about why he think his name keeps popping up around James Bond.

“I think it’s more about, we just want to have a black guy play James Bond rather than Idris Elba, the actor, play James Bond. That’s the part that I’m like, ‘Ugh, come on’”

He also revealed he doesn’t like his martinis in the James Bond fashion.

“I like them stirred. Not shaken. Jesus Christ, did I just say that out loud?”

He previously said his chances for playing Bond were low.

“I think not, but you really need to ask the producers. Like I can just (mimes making a telephone call), ‘Hey, I’m gonna play Bond next! No, it’s Idris. Hello?’ No one wants it.”

Daniel Craig will reprise his role as James Bond in the upcoming 007 film, which will mark the 25th film in the franchise. The movie will be directed by Danny Boyle based off an original screenplay by John Hodge. Production is set to begin on December 3, 2018. The film is expected to hit theaters in November 2019.