Is Idris Elba being considered to become the new James Bond?

Racists are really showing their true colors over Ariel from The Little Mermaid being Black in the newest edition of the Disney classic. The criticisms are nonsensical. Mermaids are indeed not real, and counter to what many exposing these arguments believe, representation in media can significantly impact viewers who often do not see their skin, hair, or life experience reflected in movies and TV. Increasing the diversity of casts does not do enough to attack centers of power that perpetuate discrimination, but it can have an extremely positive on children. Is it enough? No. Is it a place to start? Yes. To say representation matters does not deny the importance of the just distribution of resources, power, and access in society.

In the case of Ariel, parents have taken to social media to show their young children watching the moment they realize that, like them, Ariel is Black.

In the past, however, the same racist arguments were made against the idea that Idris Elba play James Bond

Now, some are claiming that the actor is too old to play Bond.

The criticism, while similar to the other, is less problematic in that accusation stems from a worry that he will not be able to star in many movies. Unlike arguments that are racially motivated, it does not discount the idea that another (younger) Black actor could take on the role.

Elba would likely pass on the role even if given the opportunity

While many fans of the actor were excited about the possibility of seeing him as Bond, Elba himself told Variety recently that he did not see himself in the role. Producers for the Bond franchise, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, believe they understand some of the reasons why Elba might not think the role is right for him.

Wilson says that the commitment may be too long, saying that even the first movie could “be a couple of years off.”

Broccoli went on to say that “when we cast Bond, it’s a 10-, 12-year commitment. So he’s probably thinking, ‘Do I really want that thing? Not everybody wants to do that. It was hard enough getting [Daniel Craig to do it].” The two noted that it was hard to convince Daniel Craig to take part, and he was only in his thirties when it was offered.

So the answer to the question is less whether Elba is on the shortlist and whether or not he wants the part; at this point does not seem to be the case.

Who is in the running?

Broccoli and Wilson have kept their lips sealed over possible replacements for Craig, who retired as the character after the 2021 release of “No Time to Die.” This summer, the production team confirmed that it could be two years or more before another Bond movie hit screens around the world. The first item on the list is finding a replacement, and to date, no rumors have surfaced.