Posted on October 30, 2012

Bond Girl Naomie Confirms Idris Talks to Be First Black 007

Alison Maloney, The Sun, October 26, 2012

Idris Elba has been considered for the role of James Bond, according to Naomie Harris.

The Skyfall Bond Girl — who is set to star with The Wire actor in Mandela: The Long Walk To Freedom — confirmed that he met with movie chiefs to discuss becoming the first black 007 when Daniel Craig stepped down.

She said: “I didn’t realise that there was this talk and then I did a film with Idris and he said that he met (Bond producer) Barbara Broccoli and that it does seem like there is a possibility in the future that there could very well be a black James Bond.

“I would have to vote for Idris because I just finished working with him and he’s a great guy.”

Daniel has now signed up for two more movies, which may scupper Idris’s chance.

The Brit has always played down talk of becoming the next actor to play the iconic spy, and insisted his colour is irrelevant.

Last year he said: “It’s a rumour. I just don’t want to be the black James Bond. Sean Connery wasn’t the Scottish James Bond, and Daniel Craig wasn’t the blue-eyed James Bond, so if I played him, I don’t want to be called the black James Bond.”

But he joked that if he met with studio executives he would impress them with some 007 style stunts.

He said: “I’d not only get in the cab, but I’d take the taxi driver out of the car, hostage, jump out while it was moving, jump onto a pedal bike that was just past the door as I got on it, and then get onto a plane — on the wing — land on top of Sony Studios, slide through the air conditioning, and land in the office.

“I’m never shaken or stirred.”