Idris Elba ‘Disheartened’ by Fans Who Say 007 Must Be Played by White Actor

3 Min Read
Netflix's "Turn Up Charlie" For Your Consideration Event - Red Carpet
Idris Elba attends Netflix's 'Turn Up Charlie' For Your Consideration event at Pacific Design Center on March 02, 2019 in West Hollywood, California.

James Bond favorite Idris Elba would like to play 007 but is โ€œdisheartenedโ€ by fans who think Bond must be played by a white actor.โ€

The 46-year-old has been one of the hot favorites to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond.

His competition includes the likes of Richard Madden, Tom Hiddleston, and Tom Hardy, all of whom are often asked if theyโ€™d like to play 007 next.

Netflix's "Turn Up Charlie" For Your Consideration Event - Red Carpet
Idris Elba attends Netflixโ€™s โ€˜Turn Up Charlieโ€™ Red Carpet and Reception at Pacific Design Center on March 02, 2019 in West Hollywood, California.

Now Elba has opened up once again on the prospect of taking up on the role, being honest that heโ€™d love to if asked but doesnโ€™t want to be judged by his skin color.

Speaking with Vanity Fair, Elba said: โ€œJames Bond is a hugely coveted, iconic, beloved character, that takes audiences on this massive escapism journey.โ€

The actor continued: โ€œOf course, if someone said to me โ€˜Do you want to play James Bond?,โ€™ Iโ€™d be like, โ€˜Yeah!โ€™ Thatโ€™s fascinating to me.โ€

Idris Elba Vanity Fair
Idris Elba Vanity Fair

โ€œBut itโ€™s not something Iโ€™ve expressed, like, Yeah, I wanna be the black James Bond.โ€

โ€œAnd it really turns out to be the colour of my skin.โ€

Elba added: โ€œAnd then if I get it and it didnโ€™t work, or it did work, would it be because of the color of my skin?โ€

โ€œThatโ€™s a difficult position to put myself into when I donโ€™t need to.โ€

Netflix's "Turn Up Charlie" For Your Consideration Event - Red Carpet
Idris Elba attends Netflixโ€™s โ€˜Turn Up Charlieโ€™ For Your Consideration event at Pacific Design Center on March 02, 2019 in West Hollywood, California.

However, added that the door โ€œwould be wide openโ€ to a black Bond.

Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporterโ€™s poll of 2000 Americans found that 63% supported Elba playing Bond next โ€“ with just 21% opposed to the idea.

The survey also revealed 52% said they support a black 007 over other diversity options.

Meanwhile, support for a Hispanic or Asian Bond was lower at 39% and 37%.

Netflix's "Turn Up Charlie" For Your Consideration Event - Red Carpet
Idris Elba attends Netflixโ€™s โ€˜Turn Up Charlieโ€™ Red Carpet and Reception at Pacific Design Center on March 02, 2019 in West Hollywood, California.

Elba stars in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw due in theaters in August.