Idris Elba Says James Bond Casting Talk Was Never Serious

Sir Idris Elba says he does not believe James Bond should be reshaped to appear "woke".

The 53-year-old actor had been widely mentioned as a possible replacement for Daniel Craig after Craig’s 2021 exit in Spectre, but Elba said the talk was "never legit". He argued that audiences around the world would not all accept a black actor in the role, and that the character should not be altered to satisfy political expectations.

Speaking with Britain’s GQ magazine, he said: “It was never legit. It was always just a rumour.

“I’ve always felt that it’s not a realistic thing.

“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. 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.

“Bond is so unrealistic, so a hint of reality is good, but let’s not try and make it woke.

“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 is now appearing as Man-At-Arms in Masters of the Universe. He said he was first "a bit conscious" about taking on the part because the character is commonly shown as ginger, but he later decided the difference was not important.

He laughed: “Talk about recasting. I was a bit conscious about it. But then I was like, What are you talking about?! Man-At-Arms could be any colour! He’s got green legs, for God’s sake!”

Elba said his affection for He-Man was the reason he accepted the role, rather than any calculation about how the film would fit into his career path.

He admitted: “I did that for me, man. I remember taking it, thinking, Uhhhh…

“I suppose at my age, with the kind of things I’ve done, and the kind of things I’m doing, can I get away with being in a film like that? I thought, why not?"

The Luther star, who directed the 2018 crime drama Yardie, is also directing a forthcoming adaptation of This Is How it Goes. He said moving behind the camera has brought fresh energy to his work.

He said: “If directing wasn’t an option for me, I’m not sure how long I’d be acting.

“I want to be inspired again. I think the inspiration comes from watching other actors and moulding and getting people to say it differently.”