James Bond fans have been suggesting Idris Elba for the iconic role for years, and now a vague report that probably isn't true is getting all of their hopes up again.
Twitter is gleefully passing around an Esquire "report" citing The Independent's pickup from UK publication The Daily Star, which reported Thursday that filmmaker Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day") said franchise producer Barbara Broccoli told him she feels "it is time" for an actor of color to take over the role once Daniel Craig gives it up and she is certain "it will happen eventually."
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View StoryFuqua was speaking at the launch of his new business venture SoundFi when he reportedly added, "Idris could do it if he was in shape. You need a guy with physically strong presence. Idris has that."
Elba has had the approval from fans for years, and even got the thumbs up from former Sony Pictures boss Amy Pascal, who once told a colleague in an email that the British actor "should be the next Bond."
Elba, on the other hand, has denied multiple times that anyone involved in the franchise has reached out to him, and has since grown tired of talking about it. When a Telegraph reporter asked to talk about the media's obsession with him possibly playing Bond one day, he asked, "Can we not?"
"Because it feels like I'm campaigning, and I'm not," he added in the 2015 interview. "At first it was harmless -- oh, I know, wouldn't it be great? -- and now it's started off racial debates. I'm probably the most famous Bond actor in the world, and I've not even played the role. Enough is enough. I can't talk about it any more."
But according to Fuqua, there's a chance producers might actually be considering an actor of color!
That is far from official, though, so TooFab's official recommendation is to wait for some kind of official casting announcement. Or go buck wild with everyone else cheering for the possibility on Twitter.
Esquire: James Bond Producers Are Leaning Toward Idris Elba As the Next 007 https://t.co/x8oCDT4ynL
@jaketapper
Idris Elba could be the next James Bond pic.twitter.com/bLr2tPZluB
@akaspidey
Of course Idris Elba should be James Bond, do we even need to pretend there's a question here?
@Rschooley
Stop leaning and fall. Idris Elba is the ONLY guy who could get me into a theater to see another Bond movie. https://t.co/Az2Imbs4rS
@rmayemsinger
The Internet is never united on anything but damn near everybody wants Idris Elba to play James Bond. This has to happen. https://t.co/93AgaJfVi0
@adamcbest
FANS: Idris Elba should be James Bond.
@McJesse
PRODUCERS: Slow down. Casting is much more complex than you think.
FANS: Ok. Who do you suggest?
PRODUCERS: ... Idris Elba it is.
"What's your name, sir?"
@jessesingal
"Bond. James Bond."
"And do you have ID?"
"Yes, here, but can you please explain why you pulled me over?"
"WHOA. He's getting a little aggressive -- we may need backup." https://t.co/UzIKtpp1JJ
Idris Elba as the next James Bond? Yeah, I can see it. He was great in Luthor and The Wire.
@stillgray
And no, "pissing off racist assholes" shouldn't be your motivation for wanting to see him take on the role. He's just a great actor so you should stop injecting identity politics into it.
Please have Idris as James Bond. Please have Idris as James Bond. Please have Idris as James Bond. Please have Idris as James Bond. Please have Idris as James Bond. Please have Idris as James Bond. Please have Idris as James Bond. pic.twitter.com/eEJZHzhDcI
@a_leroux14
GOOD: Idris Elba as the next James Bond.
@NotKennyRogers
BETTER: The next James Bond movie is titled "Threat Level Midnight." pic.twitter.com/e0ENIGa4YG
