One of the most recent publicized revelations from the momentous hack of Sony is the announcement that Sony Pictures has considered – or, perhaps, is considering – tapping British superstar Idris Elba as the next James Bond. Now, if you were to tell just about anyone that the next man to step into Bond’s tuxedo would be handsome, refined, cultured, educated and strong, you would get understated nods. Of course he would be. And, if you added that he was a scene-chewing legitimate movie star then your audience would likely just lean in closer, interested. But, as Ronn Torossian said, “there’s more…and that’s what has people talking”Nronn.
Is the world ready for a black James Bond?
Well, in some circles even the question could be considered inappropriate. In others, the question would be greeted with a communal dismissal. OF COURSE a modern Bond could be of a darker hue…as long as said man has the gravitas to pull off the character. You are, after all, not measuring up to the literary Bond. You are measuring up to Connery, the Bond by which all others will be judged.
Unless, of course, you look at Elba and see race, first and foremost. That crowd is absolutely aghast. One Big Name radio jock did an entire segment on how ridiculous the idea of a black James Bond was. Elba wasn’t phased … of course he wasn’t. In fact, he’s taken the “issue” – as trumped up as it is – head on.
“I don’t want to be the black James Bond. Connery wasn’t the Scottish Bond and Craig wasn’t the blue-eyed Bond. If I played him I don’t want to be called the black Bond,” Elba said.
According to 5WPR CEO Ronn Torossian, “Some people may not be able to think of him as anything else, though, so that makes this a PR issue Elba’s team will have to address.” Call it what you want, it’s a fact. At least until the illustrious actor utters that famous phrase the first time: “Bond, James Bond.”
That is the ultimate barometer. And it always will be.
