Idris Elba was tagged as Steven Spielberg's first choice for the new James Bond. (Photo : Reuters/Suzanne Plunkett)
"No Escape" star Pierce Brosnan recently revealed that he thinks "Star Trek Beyond" actor Idris Elba is a great African American actor to play James Bond. On the other hand, the author of the latest 007 novel thinks otherwise, which may be construed as a racist remark.
Before the release of "No Escape" on Aug. 26, Brosnan told Details that he is not against the idea of having a gay James Bond but it may be a remote possibility. Instead, he said, "Let's start with a great black actor being James Bond. Idris Elba certainly has the physicality, the charisma, the presence."
However, Brosnan said he thinks Daniel Craig "will be there for a while yet." Craig is set to appear in Sam Mendes's "Spectre," which is set to hit theaters on Nov. 6 and will also star Ralph Fiennes, Christoph Waltz, Dave Bautista, Naomie Harris and Monica Bellucci, among others.
On the other hand, 007 novel "Trigger Mortis" author Anthony Horitz appear to not agree with Brosnan about Elba being an African American actor playing James Bond. In a recent interview with Daily Mail, the novelist said, "Idris Elba is a terrific actor, but I can think of other black actors who would do it better."
"For me, Idris Elba is a bit too rough to play the part," Horitz explained. "It's not a color issue. I think he is probably a bit too street for Bond. Is it a question of being suave? Yeah."
For Horitz, instead of Elba, the best African American actor to play James Bond is "Hustle" alum Adrian Lester, who has completed John Shea's "Grey Lady."
Aside from "Hustle," Lester also appeared in TV series "Afterlife," "The Ghost Squad," "Being Human," "Bonekickers," "Merlin," "London Spy" and "Red Band Society."
