Image Credit: WPA Pool / Getty Images
We have seen multiple excuses being laid out describing exactly why Idris Elba shouldn’t be the next actor to portray James Bond after Daniel Craig, but now we even have the author of the latest entry in the Bond novel series giving his take on why Elba apparently isn’t a good candidate to assume the role of 007.
Anthony Horowitz, author of the upcoming Bond novel Trigger Mortis, spoke in an interview with the Daily Mail (of course it was the Mail) in which he offered his opinion on why he felt “other black actors” were more suitable for the Bond role, with him presumably being the least self-aware man alive today due to him assuming that this kind of statement wouldn’t see him being rightfully hounded online by understandably upset Elba fans.
“Idris Elba is a terrific actor, but I can think of other black actors who would do it better,” Horowitz said, adding: “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.”
Image Credit: SFX Magazine / Getty Images
It’s questionable why Horowitz doesn’t deem Elba suave enough to play Bond, especially considering that he admitted he wasn’t a fan of the three modern Bond films, all starring the very well-spoken, well-dressed Daniel Craig. Also, Idris Elba’s an actor – even if he was too “street,” whatever that means, then it’s within his job description to ask like Bond anyway. That is quite literally his job.
While Horowitz insists that it isn’t an issue of colour, pointing out Adrian Lester an alternative choice, it’s certainly a questionable statement for Horowitz to make considering that the majority of the opinions leveled against Elba taking the role of Bond are specifically in regards to him being black. For the author to claim that his disapproval of Elba potentially taking on Bond is due to him being too “street,” then, was always going to cause a considerable stir.
