Speculating as to who will be cast as the next Bond seems to be a
constant popular obsession. Even though Daniel Craig has announced no
plans to retire, and series producers Eon have stated their own desire
to see him beat Roger Moore's record and play the role at least five
more times, rumors persist as to who will replace him as 007 - one of
whom is Idris Elba, the British actor who broke through with TV's 'The
Wire' and 'Luther,' and has since broken through in Hollywood, to be
seen next in 'Pacific Rim.'
Interviewed in promotion of Guillermo del Toro's robots-versus-monsters
blockbuster, Elba was asked directly about the Bond rumors by the meddia. He seems flattered, but not all that keen.
"It's not something that I actually hope to come to fruition. It would be lovely if it did, but it's a rumor.
"It's actually like the will of a nation type-thing. I'm not a champion
of myself to be James Bond, but there are so many people who say, 'Hey,
you'd be a great one. We'd love to see that'. That's a great feeling
for me. That's such a national treasure for us in England, we love James
Bond. To be considered as one of those actors who could play him is
great."
Elba was similarly gracious but not especially eager when asked
recently about rumours that he might play another notable British icon,
Doctor Who, telling the audience in a 'Luther' Q&A that he'd "look
silly in a bow tie."
Elba is not the first black actor to be linked with the role; prior to
the casting of Daniel Craig, it was widely reported that Colin Salmon
was in contention for the role, and it may be that he was passed over
more because of his prior connection with the series (having co-starred
as MI6 agent Robinson in 'Tomorrow Never Dies,' 'The World is Not
Enough' and 'Die Another Day') than any concerns over his ethnicity.
'Skyfall' villain Javier Bardem also told the media
recently that he had been offered the role before Craig, which would
have made him the first Spanish Bond, but the actor "didn't feel that it
was the time for (him) to do something like that."
For Elba, the matter of his ethnicity would surely come second to his
own level of fame. After his TV success and his roles in 'Prometheus,'
'Thor' and now 'Pacific Rim,' plus rumours linking him to Marvel superheroes Black Panther and Luke Cage, it seems certain that by the time Craig finally vacates
the role (which, again, may not be for some years yet), Elba will
already be too big a star - much as was the case with Clive Owen, long
speculated to take over from Pierce Brosnan, but too big a name once the
opportunity came around. The same will undoubtedly be true of Elba's
'Prometheus' co-star Michael Fassbender, also the subject of much
fan-casting as a potential future 007.
Someone is leaving poisoned meatballs for San Francisco dogs... 
