Word on the street has been that Idris Elba could be tapped to play James Bond in the future. According to emails stolen in the recent big Sony Pictures Entertainment hack, studio co-chairman Amy Pascal wants Idris Elba for the role of James Bond once Daniel Craig’s run is over.
Ever since the rumor surfaced, response has been shocking. Some fans were hip to the idea, but Rush Limbaugh was not.
“James Bond is a total concept put together by Ian Fleming. He was white and Scottish. Period. That is who James Bond is, was,” Limbaugh said. “But now (they are) suggesting that the next James Bond should be Idris Elba, a black Briton, rather than a white from Scotland. But that’s not who James Bond is.”
“I know it’s racist to probably point this out,” he said.
Trouble is, Limbaugh doesn’t know what he’s talking about. If he were to get the role, Idris Elba would be the first black James Bond, but not the first Briton. In fact there have been three Brit Bonds, one Aussie, one Irish, and only one Scottish. In the novels, Bond’s family heritage was only mentioned in a much later story, after Sean Connery had played the role on film. He was then said to be of Scottish heritage.
Actors who have played Bond include (Eon-produced only):
Sean Connery – Scottish
Roger Moore – English
George Lazenby – Australian
Timothy Dalton – English
Pierce Brosnan – Irish
Daniel Craig – English
Craig still has Spectre to do, which is just now shooting. He is contracted to one more after that. But Craig told Rolling Stone back in 2012 that he is done.
“I’ve been trying to get out of this from the very moment I got into it,” Craig said. “But they won’t let me go, and I’ve agreed to do a couple more, but let’s see how this one does, because business is business and if the shit goes down, I’ve got a contract that somebody will happily wipe their ass with.”
Elba himself has finally weighted in on the whole mess with a tweet.
Isn't 007 supposed to handsome? Glad you think I've got a shot! Happy New year people. pic.twitter.com/3g9lAl2Uo3
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) December 27, 2014