There's been a lot of talk about the next James Bond being played by a black actor, and one name which keeps coming up is "Luther" and "Thor: The Dark World" star Idris Elba. He's even expressed interest in the role, revealing in a reddit AMA (via People) not too long ago that, "Yes, if it was offered to me, absolutely," he would play the iconic super-spy.
Just like many of us think Elba should be next 007, so too does Sony Pictures Entertainment co-chairman Amy Pascal, according to more hacked Sony emails unearthed by The Daily Beast.
In an email dated Jan. 4, 2014 (so quite some time ago, and an indication that all of the "good" information in these emails is now reaching an end), she's quoted as writing to Elizabeth Cantillon, former executive vice president of production for Columbia Pictures, which distributes the Bond films: "Idris should be the next bond."
It's obviously an issue that has been discussed then, but as Pascal will more than likely be out of a job fairly soon, her opinion may no longer matter.
My personal thoughts on Elba as the next Bond: While I think he's an excellent, intense actor who would surely do the character justice, I don't think they should hire an actor just because of the color of his skin and/or to make some sort of statement; they should hire the best man for the job...period. And if Elba happens to be that man, then so be it. I'll be there with popcorn in hand, ready to watch him pull off some super-spy shenanigans.
