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Why not a sarcastic note? Sorry Fleming's Bond is white. Shaft is Black ...(Grant it that character itself is a stereotype ..but then so is Bond.)
Acting is the only job you can legally consider race or sex. Who would've wanted Jack Black to play Madeleine?
It's not his race. Roles can be cast all the times with no problem if the race is changed. But this change in race ruins the entire Roland/Suzannah story arc. To me she is the most complex and difficult character of the 3 leads, and she is black. She has a violent hatred towards Roland as she considers him a racist. Exactly how do you make this work if they are both black. It will destroy the character of Susannah given her story arc if they make her white, at the very least they will have to radically rewrite her character and their relationship for it to make any sense. Sadly they will likely greatly diminish the character to deal with this.
There was a very hostile reaction on various web sites related to the Tower books over the casting of Elba for this very reason. The anger had nothing to do with Elba's race, it had everything to do with how the lovers of the books felt an extraordinary character and a critical relationship arc were being destroyed.
Interesting aside, as someone else noted, Craig was said to be offered the role of Roland by Sony years ago, and I also read somewhere that Naomi Harris was being considered for Suzannah. Harris actually would be good as Suzannah - it's a great role as written in the books. But the character will be changed to white or diminished, it is the only way they can likely rewrite it to make sense. I'm sure she is not thrilled with this development. King has obviously been desperate to get the books filmed as they have been a huge long time effort for him, and there have been many false fits and starts to getting the Tower books filmed. Elba certainly has the talent to fill the role, but the plot will need reworking. Welcome to Hollywood. If the first film is successful, he'll totally be out of the Bond game as they will be filming the Tower books for years.
The producers are almost forced to cast Elba in a way regardless of screen test. If they don't then automatically dubbed racist. So watch they will cast and age won't be an excuse not to.
play Bond. I don't think anyone would be saying " it's because he's Irish"
That's what I'm saying, as far as the US is concerned. It would stop at 100 million.
But in Europe an Elba Bond would become a phenomenon as big as Skyfall was. EVERYONE would want to see him and be it just out of curiosity.
Personally, I said this before, I want a Fleming vision Bond. There is a reason why Timothy Dalton is my favourite Bond.
I don't want a black Bond as I don't want an American or German Bond or 25 year old Bond.
Bond is tough, charming and deadly.
Don't think the producers will feel compelled to cast purely because of race.
We'll see.
Times are changing.
I'm not in favor of casting anyone simply because of their race, but if the actor that tests best is Idris Elba, that would not bother me.
People can't change ethnicity on a flip of a dime, neither should Bond. Just because "Time are changing" doesn't mean a character should be cosmetically altered to appeal to a newer hipper demographic. That's just pandering.
There's some passages in his books that are pretty bad.
I don't think he had the most enlightened view of race.
Heck, some are calling for Hardy. He is not Bond as far as I'm aware, as traditionally described or envisaged. What is he, 5 ft 5 or something?
I'm sure Elba could make a great Bond (especially in his prime). However, I'd prefer if he were not Bond. If that makes any sense.
I prefer a white actor take the part, but it's just a preference. The hard arguments as to why Bond should be white seem a little weak imho. Except the box office one (I don't think a black actor would resonate so well in some foreign markets - and even if he could it's risky) and perhaps just good old fashioned tradition. Nothing wrong with that.
DOwney Jr is short too, they just shoot him from below to make him look taller.
I get the feeling most audiences these days- especially those who are rooting for either of those actors don't really give a s### about Bond the character, legacy or what not. Not Bond purists just general moviegoers. They tend to think who ever is cool or current would be alright in the role. In fact many people I know who have only seen the Craig films won't go back and watch FRWL, GF or any of the early ones because they heard they were cheesy.
This is an incorrect perception. Certainly when it comes to those from the 60's. I hope you'll encourage them to reconsider.
the producers will cast who they want to cast... and outside of Pierce Brosnan, they always seem to go with someone "outside of the box"
and since the media seems to be screaming for Elba, they'll go a different direction..
.... on another note - changing the ethnicity of a character as a means to quell the political correctness storm, and then masquerading it as "progress" is just a sham... like others have said, if Elba becomes Bond - then I want Brad Pitt as Shaft... why not leave what already is, and break ground with something new and original?... or is that not good enough?.... it has nothing to do with acting - but everything to do with 500 lbs gorilla in the room, and that's the character of James Bond is written as a White male - and Elba is Black.... that is that.... even Yaphet Kotto went on record to say that "James Bond is white, and should stay white."
I couldn't agree more. On the positive side, whoever they cast probably will play the part convincingly as each actor has in the past albeit with their own interpretation. Tim is great in Daylights. Someone with a similar build would be good. Bond does push ups, leg lifts and swims. He really shouldn't look as though he has a personal trainer and spends hours in the gym. OO7 just doesn't have time for that. He's too busy smoking his 60 cigarettes per day and eating scrambled eggs.
Jason, Clan you explain, way a Nation, that is half black, would bot accept a black in the role, whereas Europe would he thrilled. I would think, the exact opposite is the case.
technically, only 13% of the US population (according to the last consensus) is Black.. i think - and wouldn't be surprised if - there are more Hispanics in the US than those of African descent.
Mind, I do wish DC would say one way or the other. Tom Hiddleston for my money, if DC quits.