Idris Elba and the 'true' James Bond: Why 007 will never stop evolving

Le SamouraiLe Samourai Honolulu, HIPosts: 573MI6 Agent
A recent article from The Week by Scott Meslow.

As a longtime 007 fan (one who first discovered the character in the novels, not the films), I find much to agree with here.

http://theweek.com/articles/574870/idris-elba-true-james-bond-why-007-never-stop-evolving?utm_source=links&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=facebook
—Le Samourai

A Gent in Training.... A blog about my continuing efforts to be improve myself, be a better person, and lead a good life. It incorporates such far flung topics as fitness, self defense, music, style, food and drink, and personal philosophy.
Agent In Training

Comments

  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    Yes, Bond in movies has never been the Bond in the novels, though Tim probably tried the hardest to bring that to life in a post Moore era. 8-)
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I've posted before that, I have no problem with a Black Bond.
    A good actor is a good actor. So long as he can deliver a good
    Put down or one-liner, look like he can through a punch, and
    have every woman wanting him ......... Bloody hell that sounds
    awfully like me ! :D
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Absolutely_CartAbsolutely_Cart NJ/NYC, United StatesPosts: 1,740MI6 Agent
    All 6 actors have left their mark. I'm looking forward to Idris Elba or whomever the next actor is.
  • Thunderbird 2Thunderbird 2 East of Cardiff, Wales.Posts: 2,817MI6 Agent
    edited September 2015
    ,nk
    I've posted before that, I have no problem with a Black Bond.
    A good actor is a good actor. So long as he can deliver a good
    Put down or one-liner, look like he can through a punch, and
    have every woman wanting him ......... Bloody hell that sounds
    awfully like me ! :D

    I meant to say you should replace that duff mirror in the pub.

    Re Mr Elba, I think he would have been a fantastic Bond. I use the past tense because Eon have proved they always need an actor who they will get a number of films out of, and is obscure enough to be promotable and affordable. Mr Elba is one of the best known actors of his generation, alongside Mr Craig! He is now too well established now.

    Plus hasn't Mr Ebla himself said "Thank You and Good night!" To the idea? Mark my words, the next actor to play Bond after Mr Craig will probably be someone who is barely registering on the media or public's radar at present. - skin, hair, eye colour and favourite tipple are all irrelevant. That they are talented enough to play the character is what counts. The auditions will sort that out when the time comes. (I bet Mr Craig dies one more if SPECTRE hits all its marks.)

    Eon's casting folk know their stuff. Look at their recent track record. Mr Fiennes, Miss Harris and Mr Wishaw are all excellent as the current M, E-MP and Q, and Mr Kinnear as the first established Tanner.

    I wonder if Jeffery Rush is coming back as Felix L in the future?
    This is Thunderbird 2, how can I be of assistance?
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,619MI6 Agent
    edited September 2015
    Another Idris Elba discussion for the sole purpose to provoke harsh replies and then dissect every single word and burn the posters for being racist by overly pc people.

    Elba is too old to replace Craig - his visual appearance is too rough and I can't imagine a black actor playing Bond such as there is no white actor playing the main role in 'Bad Boys'
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,861Chief of Staff
    I wonder if Jeffery Rush is coming back as Felix L in the future?

    I think you're confusing the excellent Geoffrey Rush


    AA_OLD_MAN.jpg

    with our current Felix, Jeffrey Wright, TB2!

    AA_OLD_MAN_2.jpg
  • Thunderbird 2Thunderbird 2 East of Cardiff, Wales.Posts: 2,817MI6 Agent
    Thanks for clarifying the "Wright" actor for me Barbel!

    I'm not quite with it today.
    This is Thunderbird 2, how can I be of assistance?
  • Le SamouraiLe Samourai Honolulu, HIPosts: 573MI6 Agent
    As I read it, the article isn't so much about the idea of Idris Elba as 007 as it is about the ever changing, evolving character of James Bond. That's what interested me, and I think the author made some good points.
    —Le Samourai

    A Gent in Training.... A blog about my continuing efforts to be improve myself, be a better person, and lead a good life. It incorporates such far flung topics as fitness, self defense, music, style, food and drink, and personal philosophy.
    Agent In Training
  • Thunderbird 2Thunderbird 2 East of Cardiff, Wales.Posts: 2,817MI6 Agent
    As I read it, the article isn't so much about the idea of Idris Elba as 007 as it is about the ever changing, evolving character of James Bond. That's what interested me, and I think the author made some good points.

    I knew I was not quite with it, but I forgot to comment on the article! I agree, it is an astute observation on the ebbing and flowing evolution of Bond on screen, versus the default nature of the books. I can also see myself as being one of the doubting thomas's on learning too much about Bond's backstory in Spectre in the future, once we reach a retrospective point, depending on how much the film adds.
    I say that, because the more backstory you build it, the more it needs to be explained and fitted into present events. That in turn, eats up present and future tense story telling time. Sky fall is a good Bond film, but the story is about M-Manf. Plus if you heap too much tragedy into 007's past, it risks becoming a bit of a self parody, such as Bond having 10 Astons, or drinking 7 gallons of scotch to deal with his lifestyle!
    All art needs to grow and change to survive. But it needs to do it a step at a time. The article raises those points.
    This is Thunderbird 2, how can I be of assistance?
  • eric7064eric7064 USAPosts: 344MI6 Agent
    Personally I don't think Bond should be black. Would I be extremely upset if a black man was casted as Bond,No. But I just don't think it fits really at all. I really do think they would just cast a Black Bond just to be different and that it's never been done before.

    If EON went far and wide and they thought a black actor was the BEST possible man for the Job then ok. But I just don't think Bond should be black. What if a traditionally black character was casted by a white man. There would be outrage.
  • 00730073 COPPosts: 1,061MI6 Agent
    edited September 2015
    Higgins wrote:
    Another Idris Elba discussion for the sole purpose to provoke harsh replies and then dissect every single word and burn the posters for being racist by overly pc people.

    Elba is too old to replace Craig - his visual appearance is too rough and I can't imagine a black actor playing Bond such as there is no white actor playing the main role in 'Bad Boys'

    Nice one! Sir! As it is Ian Flemings Bond is defined in the books as a "scot white guy" Just as Toni Morrisons Pecola is defined in the book Bluest Eye as a "southern US black girl". In either case, the definition is about the story telling and character and his/her motivation and culture etc. What it is not about is racism or sexism or any other -ism.

    When they start to make movies about Harlan Spudstetters Jack Bond, they can put just about any guy in that role!

    This whole subject has been beat to death so long ago that it has all ready passed dinner tables as Brasilian grass fed beef.
    "I mean, she almost kills bond...with her ass."
    -Mr Arlington Beech
  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,619MI6 Agent
    0073 wrote:
    Nice one! Sir!

    ....

    This whole subject has been beat to death so long ago that it has all ready passed dinner tables as Brasilian grass fed beef.

    Thank you!
    And I was afraid that I was the only one :D
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Oh! You are Unique in many ways Higgins. :p :))
    Yes, the media do love to flog a dead horse, and it's going to
    Be repeated for every Bond film onwards now. :#
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • 00730073 COPPosts: 1,061MI6 Agent
    [qu
    Higgins wrote:

    Thank you!
    And I was afraid that I was the only one :D
    ote=Higgins]

    So long as you know that you're not alone!
    "I mean, she almost kills bond...with her ass."
    -Mr Arlington Beech
  • Mr MalloryMr Mallory North by northwestPosts: 632MI6 Agent
    It's all rather silly.
    What makes you think this is my first time?
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