By Sean Ray | a&e editor
Daniel Craig is the sixth actor to portray James Bond in the 23 film series.
In an interview with timeout.com last week, British actor Daniel Craig announced that he would “rather break this glass and slash my wrists” than be in another James Bond movie.
Colorful language aside, this does pose an interesting question; who will be the next James Bond? Craig has been the famed super spy for the past 10 years, his first time in the role being the 2005 film “Casino Royale.” For many Duquesne students, the first James Bond movie they watched was likely starring Daniel Craig. Who could possibly replace him?
One possible choice has been drawing a lot of attention. In an interview with Variety magazine, Idris Elba said he is constantly told he would make a great James Bond, and that he might not opposed to the idea of playing him.
“If human beings want to know if there’s any connectivity between all of us, the one thing I’ve heard around the world universally is that, ‘You’ll be great at James Bond!’” Elba said. “If it should happen, that’s proof there’s connectivity amongst human beings. If everyone wants something, they can make it happen. That would be true.”
Should Elba take up the role, it would make him the first non-Caucasian actor to play Mr. Bond. Of course, this is not the first time Elba has played a character that is traditionally white. The 2011 super hero flick “Thor” received some controversy for casting Elba in the role of Heimdall, a Norse and usually white deity.
But what do Duquesne students think about the casting choice? The Duquesne Duke went down to A-walk in order to find out exactly that.
“I think that would be really cool to see,” sophomore English major Eli Jones said. “He’s really suave and sure he’s not the same skin tone as the other actors, but I think he would be a good candidate for the job.”
Mark Bidel, a freshman in a 5-year PA program, offered similar sentiments.
“I’d be completely for it if he’s a great actor,” Bidel said. “He’s excited to do the part. I say I’m all for it. I’m excited to see him in a movie, especially 007.”
Elba being cast would represent a change from Hollywood’s usual casting choices when it comes to race. Most of the time, Hollywood casts Caucasian actors to play minority parts, rather than the other way around. Such examples can be seen in 2014’s “Noah” and 2010’s “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.” Both of those films featured a white actor playing a character who was supposed to be Middle Eastern.
The only question is, are audiences willing to go see a black James Bond?
“I think it’s great for the black race as a whole to see an African American play the lead role in such an influential movie that everyone watches,” freshman pharmacy major Tim Julimey said.
