Idris Elba got loads of critical acclaim when he lit up HBO’s The Wire in the role of Russell ‘Stringer’ Bell. Elba portrayed the Baltimore area drug lord for three seasons on the show that many have joked was the most-talked-about television series until Breaking Bad.
What many diehard American viewers did not realize was that Elba was English. And it is that edge that could get him a very coveted role.
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.
Of course, Daniel Craig still has Spectre to do, and one more after that. But Craig told Rolling Stone back in 2012 that he is already over doing Bond.
“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.”
If he were to get the role, Idris Elba — although English — would be the first black James Bond. Past Bonds have had various backgrounds. In the novels, Bond’s family heritage was only mentioned in a 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
