14 DAY TRIAL // In the Sony emails leaked online so far by the Guardians Of Peace, which were included in the thousands of files they’d stolen in November when they hit the studio servers, many conversations focused on the James Bond franchise, specifically on the upcoming 24th installment and what will happen once Daniel Craig is done.
As per online reports, this will happen after the 25th film, meaning the one he’ll appear in after 2016’s “Spectre.” This gives MGM Studios and Sony another few years, but it seems that they’re already looking to secure a new James Bond actor.
Sony Pictures co-chairwoman Amy Pascal knows who would best fit the bill.
Idris Elba as James Bond
The Daily Beast obtained an email from Pascal to Elizabeth Cantillon, former executive vice president of production for Columbia Pictures, which distributes James Bond films, dated January 4, 2014.
Because the Guardians Of Peace thought it best to share it with the world, we now know that Pascal at least wanted Idris Elba for Bond as early as the beginning of the year, which gives credence to the rumors making the rounds online for the last couple of years.
Elba is best known for his roles in HBO’s iconic series “The Wire,” but also from the BBC series “Luther” and the blockbusters “Pacific Rim” and “Thor.” He has a huge following online and enough charisma (and good looks and talent) to make him a perfect 007.
If he does become James Bond, he will be making history as the first black 007 ever. He isn’t particularly fond of the phrase “black James Bond,” as he made sure to stress in an older interview (since you don’t say “white James Bond” why should you say “black James Bond”?, he asked), but that doesn’t change the fact that he will be the first non-white 007 in the history of the franchise.
Rumor has been around for at least 2 years
Sometime in 2012, Idris Elba addressed for the first time the rumors that he was being courted to take over from Daniel Craig, saying that it would be a real honor and pleasure if he could get to play the iconic spy.
However, he was quick to add, he had not been approached with an offer yet – this is an argument that he used in later interviews too, so the media never quite had a way of telling if he was just being polite (and politely addressing an Internet rumor) or if he had something to share that he just wasn’t ready to reveal yet.
Then, in early 2014, Jamie Foxx gushed about Idris as Bond in an interview to promote “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” speaking as if he had inside knowledge that he’d been approached and cast for the role after Daniel Craig was out.
Speaking of Craig, he’s been saying he wants out for a couple of years too: at one point, he even laughed that he’d been trying to get out of his contract since he signed it, making it sound as if he was only involved because he had no other choice.
That was probably not true, because, even though the demands of being involved in a franchise are huge, the perks are even bigger. There’s also this to consider: the James Bond franchise isn’t “Twilight,” so it’s not like Craig isn’t able to give it his best.
However, by the time he’s done shooting the 25th installment, Daniel Craig will have played James Bond in a total of 5 films. And he’ll be getting old for the part. Would you welcome Idris Elba as the next 007, or do you think some other actor would best fit the part? Let us know in the comments section below.
