James Bond author Anthony Horowitz doesn’t think Idris Elba should play 007, for a completely ridiculous reason.
Updated with the author’s statement:
Following the backlash, Anthony Horowitz has released a statement on Twitter apologizing for his comments, proclaiming himself “horrified” for his poor choice of words:
I'm really sorry my comments about Idris Elba have caused offence [full statement attached] pic.twitter.com/UD6ouA45Uv
— Anthony Horowitz (@AnthonyHorowitz) September 1, 2015
Original story:
Pretty much since Daniel Craig replaced Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in the long-running franchise, fans have been calling out Idris Elba’s name as a potential successor when Craig’s contract expires.
Elba, an accomplished British actor known from The Wire and Luther, would be the first non-white actor to take on the coveted 007 title.
There are many who believe he wouldn’t make a good James Bond, of course. Some say he’s too old at 42 (Daniel Craig was 38 when he first took the role), while others claim he just doesn’t seem to fit the part.
Idris Elba himself told Variety last year, “I just don’t want to be the black James Bond. Sean Connery wasn’t the Scottish James Bond and Daniel Craig wasn’t the blue-eyed James Bond, so if I played him, I don’t want to be called the black James Bond.”
What the dissenters aren’t saying (well, Rush Limbaugh did say it) is that they don’t want him because he’s black.
That’s not exactly Anthony Horowitz (author of the latest James Bond novel, titled Trigger Mortis)’s reason, to be fair. But take a look at what he had to say in a Daily Mail interview, and judge for yourself:
“For me, Idris Elba is a bit too rough to play the part. It’s not a colour issue. I think he is probably a bit too ‘street’ for Bond. Is it a question of being suave? Yeah.”
Elba has, of course, played many different types of roles throughout his career. In Thor he played a Norse god, in Prometheus he played an astronaut, and in the upcoming Bastille Day he’ll be a CIA agent.
(He does have a role in the movie A Hundred Streets, but we doubt that’s what Horowitz is referring to.)
So yeah, the Internet is pretty outraged on Idris Elba’s behalf. Let’s take a look at how people have responded to Horowitz’ comments, with much photographic evidence:
"Idris Elba isn't suave enough to play Bond." LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE HASN'T SEEN EXHIBITS A THROUGH D. pic.twitter.com/e6yP27KdO4
— Carly Lane (@equivocarly) September 1, 2015
Too street you say ?
#IdrisElba is the man every man wants to be. Isn't that an ideal candidate for Bond? pic.twitter.com/hXckSxKt0z
— Victoria (@MissQueenVee) September 1, 2015
Do you even know how strong an Idris Elba Bond film would do at the box office? Judging by my feed this morning: pic.twitter.com/h6GSrB1dz1
— Laura Lam (@LR_Lam) September 1, 2015
"Idris Elba ‘too street’ to play 007" http://t.co/3QTE6Nv2d4
Ah the smell of desperate racism in the morning. pic.twitter.com/7mJKu5Xqm9
— Tristina Wright (@TristinaWright) September 1, 2015
Idris Elba 'too street' for Bond and Will Smith is busy destroying the Nigerian accent for a living right now. pic.twitter.com/e9PNkFdRbb
— MinnieOn (@Mekatilili_) September 1, 2015
I'd like to up this game and propose Idris Elba as Sherlock. BECAUSE HOW GOOD WOULD THAT BE.
— Maureen Johnson (@maureenjohnson) September 1, 2015
Idris Elba is apparently 'too street' to play Bond. Lovely bit of thinly veiled racism there, Anthony Horowitz.
— Caroline (@garolinecreen) September 1, 2015
Sorry, what? Idris Elba is 'too street' to play Bond? Are you kidding me?
HAVE YOU SEEN THAT MAN IN A SUIT?
HAVE YOU SEEN THAT MAN?
— meg (@megsiobhan) September 1, 2015
Today, every third tweet has been an image of Idris Elba. I'm not bored yet. pic.twitter.com/MBI0OcaMq7
— Caroline Preece (@carolinepreece) September 1, 2015
Twitter has spoken.
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