The ongoing saga surrounding Idris Elba prospectively playing the coveted role of James Bond continues with a new twist. When the news of Sony Pictures execs eyeing Elba to fill the notoriously suave role started buzzing around the ‘net, of course there were cheers, cosigns and heart-eyed emojis. There was also some significant (and obnoxious) pushback from movie purists and trolls like Rush Limbaugh. Elba kept it classy and responded to naysayers with a quick quip: “Isn’t 007 supposed to handsome? Glad you think I’ve got a shot!”
Now Anthony Horowitz, the author behind the forthcoming 007 novel, Trigger Mortis, has voiced his feelings towards the casting option. Let’s just say he’s closer to Limbaugh’s take on it than Sony’s. In a recent interview with UK tabloid Daily Mail, he said Elba is “too street” to get suited and booted and fill David Craig’s shoes. “Idris Elba is a terrific actor, but I can think of other black actors who would do it better,” he said.
Oh?
“For me, Idris Elba is a bit too rough to play the part. It’s not a colour issue. I think he is probably a bit too “street” for Bond. Is it a question of being suave? Yeah.”
Not suave enough? Based on the British actor’s history-making spread with Maxim, we’d beg to differ.
But whatever. Haters, you can officially relax, because Elba has firmly said he’s not considering reemerging as James Bond any time soon. That’s also because a load of other big projects under his belt, such as joining the cast of Star Trek Beyond, partnering as a designer and model with the mens line Superdry and working on his own music and DJing.
**Update: The British writer has since then issued an apology for his opinion:
I’m really sorry my comments about Idris Elba have caused offence [full statement attached] pic.twitter.com/UD6ouA45Uv
— Anthony Horowitz (@AnthonyHorowitz) September 1, 2015