Idris Elba: 'Don't try to make James Bond woke'

Actor Idris Elba has expressed his opinion that the James Bond character should remain true to its roots and not be altered to fit modern 'woke' sensibilities. He also noted that global market preferences might make a black James Bond difficult to accept in certain regions.
Why it matters
The comments highlight ongoing debates regarding cultural representation in legacy film franchises and the tension between artistic tradition and modern inclusivity.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Emma Saunders Culture reporter Getty Images Sir Idris is best known for The Wire and Luther, and also appears in the new Masters of the Universe film British actor Sir Idris Elba has said that James Bond shouldn t become "woke" and that some audiences would not accept a black male playing 007.
The article reports on a celebrity's controversial opinion neutrally, providing context without endorsing the viewpoint.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in