LOS ANGELES — File this one under, “Oh no he didn’t!” The writer of the new James Bond novel “Trigger Mortis” has set off a firestorm by calling Idris Elba “too street” to play the iconic spy.
Wait, what?! Elba has long been touted as the fans’ choice to become the first black Bond. For some, the reference to Elba as “too street” was code for “too black.”
“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. It’s not a color issue,” Anthony Horowitz told the Daily Mail. “I think he is probably a bit too ‘street’ for Bond. Is it a question of being suave? Yeah.”
Raging flames of the Internet, activate!
Idris Elba is "too street" to play James Bond?? That translates to, "He's black and we don't want a black Bond."
— ally ⚔ (@grumpyrobins) September 1, 2015
"too street" or "too black" ? Idris Elba#thetruthis pic.twitter.com/QatDX8qqpe
— Elo 👑🐇 (@coeurderatepi) September 1, 2015
https://twitter.com/blackheaux/status/638702898608762880
https://twitter.com/TristinaWright/status/638714199682756608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
"Idris Elba isn't suave enough to play Bond." LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE HASN'T SEEN EXHIBITS A THROUGH D. pic.twitter.com/e6yP27KdO4
— Carly Lane-Perry (@carlylane) September 1, 2015
Idris Elba is such a good actor he could probably realistically play an actual street.
— Jennifer Matarese (@trollprincess) September 1, 2015
idris elba isn't suave enough but they cast daniel craig who looks like a literal toe. pic.twitter.com/nBCHPPAs2W
— walter been michael (@proseb4bros) September 1, 2015
"If you can't handle me at my street, you don't deserve me at my suave" – Idris Elba pic.twitter.com/ehu5oppjdZ
— Rachael (@typoxia) September 1, 2015
I would let @idriselba be my #Bond any day of the week! #TakeMeToHisStreet https://t.co/tYNZNE424s
— Michelle Guobadia 🥭 (@MGspeaksUP) September 1, 2015
Clearly, Horowitz now knows he messed up BIG time with this one. He issued the following apology:
I'm really sorry my comments about Idris Elba have caused offence [full statement attached] pic.twitter.com/UD6ouA45Uv
— Anthony Horowitz (@AnthonyHorowitz) September 1, 2015
Not that Elba is probably sweating it. He recently stirred fan excitement when it was revealed that he would co-star in “Star Trek Beyond.”
Want to be in Star Trek Beyond? Chris Pine & @IdrisElba invite you from set, ENTER now ➤ http://t.co/zFiYXflCfThttps://t.co/DiSuvxyWDo
— Star Trek (@StarTrekMovie) August 14, 2015
