I lifted this segment from a longer interview that Naomie Harris did with Huffington Post (press tour for Skyfall), published on their website earlier today. The question was asked about the possibility of a black James Bond eventually. And this was Naomie's response:
I didn’t realize that there was this talk and then I did a film with Idris [Elba] and he said that he met Barbara Broccoli [James Bond producer] and that it does seem like there is a possibility in the future that there could very well be a black James Bond. And I would have to vote for Idris because I just finished working with him and he’s a great guy.
She doesn't say what Idris met with Barbara Broccoli about specifically, other than to add that it does seem like there is a possibility in the future of a black James Bond, suggesting that the meeting between Idris and Broccoli may have included discussion of a black James Bond at some point.
And as for whether Idris will be the guy, if that happens, well, again, considering Naomie's statement, we could also surmise that there might be interest from both sides - Elba and Broccoli.
And it would make sense; if the producers do decide to go down that path, Idris would be a really good choice. He has the looks, the charm, the build (especially since the shift to a more rugged James Bond, with Daniel Craig), and, to top it all off, he's British!
I can see him as a continuation of this new-age 007.
But if it is to happen, it wouldn't be any time soon, since Craig is signed up for 2 more James Bond movies (after Skyfall). And given that, since the franchise under the Broccoli production era began in 1962, the company has produced a new James Bond film about every 2 years. Although there was a 4 year gap between the last one, and Skyfall.
But if that every-two-years trend continues, Craig's reign would continue through, at least, 2016 - 4 years from now - which means if the plan is then for a black Bond to replace him, the black Bond film wouldn't happen before 2018. Again, if the 1-film-every-2-years trend continues.
So 8 years from now.
And assuming it's Idris, he'll be 48 years old by then; a seasoned age to begin your Bond career. Daniel Craig is 44 right now. When he started, he was 38; when Sean Connery started, he was 32; Roger Moore was 46; Pierce Brosnan was 42. And the others were all either in their early 40s or 30s.
Of course it could be some other younger actor.
But all of this is pure speculation anyway, until we know with certainty that Broccoli is definitely considering a near-future black Bond era.
It's fun to speculate though! Conversations of a black Bond have been had for years now.
Finally, one other interesting thing that Naomie said in the interview is that, she didn’t know Idris Elba was British, until she started to work with him.
She said...
I thought he was an American based on his role on “The Wire.” [Laughs]
Hilarious! Maybe I'm being too presumptuous, but I would've thought that black British actors would be a close-knit circle - especially the bigger names. Or they'd at least know of one another.
You can read the full interview HERE.