James Bond favorite Idris Elba would like to play 007 but is “disheartened” by fans who think Bond must be played by a white actor.”
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 they’d like to play 007 next.
Now Elba has opened up once again on the prospect of taking up on the role, being honest that he’d love to if asked but doesn’t want to be judged by his skin color.
Speaking with Vanity Fair, Elba said: “James Bond is a hugely coveted, iconic, beloved character, that takes audiences on this massive escapism journey.”
The actor continued: “Of course, if someone said to me ‘Do you want to play James Bond?,’ I’d be like, ‘Yeah!’ That’s fascinating to me.”
“But it’s not something I’ve expressed, like, Yeah, I wanna be the black James Bond.”
“And it really turns out to be the colour of my skin.”
Elba added: “And then if I get it and it didn’t work, or it did work, would it be because of the color of my skin?”
“That’s a difficult position to put myself into when I don’t need to.”
However, added that the door “would be wide open” to a black Bond.
Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter’s poll of 2000 Americans found that 63% supported Elba playing Bond next – 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%.
Elba stars in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw due in theaters in August.
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