Idris Elba was tagged as Steven Spielberg's first choice for the new James Bond. (Photo : Reuters/Suzanne Plunkett)
Idris Elba cannot be James Bond because the "Avengers: Age Of Ultron" star is black," according to conservative political commentator and radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh, who is aware that his comment may sound offensive.
"I know it's racist to probably point this out," Limbaugh remarked in his radio program after explaining that "James Bond is a total concept put together by Ian Fleming."
"He was white and Scottish. Period. That is who James Bond is," Limbaugh also said.
Prior to this, emails between Sony Pictures executives were leaked revealing that they were considering Elba as the next James Bond.
Limbaugh commented, "But now (they are) suggesting that the next James Bond should be Idris Elba, a black Briton, rather than a white from Scotland. But that's not who James Bond is."
Elba has confirmed he was offered the James Bond role during a Reddit AMA. In 2011, he shared his thoughts about the casting rumors and his concerns over how he would be perceived in an interview with NPR.
While Elba is very interested in the role, he said he just does not want to be labelled as the first black James Bond as Sean Connery was not called the Scottish James Bond and Daniel Craig was not known as the blue-eyed James Bond.
Meanwhile, Elba is currently filming "Finding Dory," "Bastille Day" and "The Jungle Book." He stars in "Avengers: Age Of Ultron" with Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Cobie Smulders, Scarlett Johansson, Andy Serkis, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth and Leila Wong, among others.
